SINGAPORE - Favourites Singapore beat Thailand in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out to clinch the SEA Games women's floorball gold medal on Sunday afternoon.
The score was tied at 3-3 after three periods of 20 minutes and 10 minutes of sudden death extra-time.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring. Sunaree Thoengkhunthod capitalised on a defensive error to net in the 11th minute, momentarily silencing the full house at ITE College Central.
The lead lasted just three minutes, as Yeo Xuan restored parity for the hosts just three minutes later. It stayed that way till the end of the first period.
Singapore started the second period in fine form, and laid seige on the Thai goal. Ong Hui Hui scored in the second minute, only for Thanaporn Tongkham to equalise in eight minutes later.
Debbie Poh replied for Singapore almost instantly, only to be pegged back by the visitors, who refused to go out without a fight.
The match went into 10 minutes of sudden death, but both sides failed to find the net.
Penalties beckoned, and it was the hosts who triumphed, converting two of five attempts through Jill Quek and Natalia Wee to take home the gold. Thailand's sole penalty was scored by Sunaree as Singapore goalkeeper Fariza Begum put up a stunning performance by saving four penalties.
