SINGAPORE - Singapore and Thailand will face off for gold in both the SEA Games men's and women's floorball tournaments on Sunday, after both of the Republic's teams finished top in their respective pools.
The men's team defeated Malaysia 6-2 on Saturday evening to make it three wins out of three. The hosts' goals were scored by Rashid Jalaluddin, Glendon Phua, Abdul Hafiz Zubir (2), Lim Jian Hong and captain Syazni Ramlee.
In front of a 1,100-strong, full-house crowd at ITE Central, Malaysia gave the hosts a scare with an opening goal 10 minutes into the game. But normal business resumed as Singapore scored five without reply, before ending the match 6-2.
The Singaporeans will be the favourites for Sunday's final (6pm), having edged out the Thais 4-2 in a preliminary match on Friday.
Thailand, coached by Swede Stefan Dahlgren, defeated the Philippines 11-2 in an earlier match on Saturday afternoon.
Dahlgren had earlier thrown down the gauntlet to Singapore, claiming that "all the pressure" will be on the hosts.
The Singapore women had cemented their spot in the final on Friday evening, after defeating Thailand 2-1. Spearheaded by forward Ong Hui Hui - who has scored three of the team's seven goals so far - the team will play the Thais for gold at 3pm on Sunday.
The men's bronze-medal match between the Philippines and Malaysia will take place on Sunday at noon.
All matches will be played at ITE Central, with a full house crowd expected again. Admission is free.
