Singapore get off to dominant start in Singlife Nations Cup netball tourney

SINGAPORE – Playing in front of a home crowd always makes Singapore goal shooter Amandeep Kaur Chahal extra nervous.

But the 25-year-old goal shooter has learnt to channel those nerves into positive energy and get into the zone, doing just that on the opening day of the Singlife Nations Cup netball tournament on Nov 2.

Racking up 37 goals from 40 attempts, Amandeep helped the hosts open their campaign with a 61-37 win over the Isle of Man before 1,800 spectators at the OCBC Arena.

Following a stellar 93 per cent conversion rate, the 25-year-old said: “I always feel extra nervous before home games and the Nations Cup, although it happens every year.

“I think these nerves help me prepare and get into the mood for the game.

“I had a lot of time to prepare, so that’s what helped me the most. I get to go through my whole routine, like getting ready, strapping up, and then also listening to my music before I come in. I think that sets the mood for me.”

With Amandeep in form, world No. 22 Singapore controlled the game throughout against their 31st-ranked opponents, winning every quarter.

She scored 11 goals from 12 attempts to help them lead 15-11 after the first period, and did not miss any of her 12 shots as the hosts stretched their lead to 30-20 at half-time.

Continuing in the same vein, she converted 11 of 13 attempts as Singapore led 46-29 after the third quarter.

Following her conversion to goal attack in the final stretch, she made all her three attempts count as the Vandas sealed victory with an overall 88 per cent conversion rate, finding the net from 61 of their 69 attempts.

Despite leading from start to finish, it was only in the latter half of the game that the Vandas stamped their authority. They controlled the tempo, shut down the Isle of Man’s offence and remained clinical in front of the net.

“We started a little slow,” reflected Amandeep. “After the second quarter, and then especially into the third, we really pulled away in terms of the score. So I think we were really clicking and executing what we were working on in yesterday’s training.”

Singapore coach Tara Steel expressed satisfaction with her team’s performance, praising their strong execution and game management.

“It was great for a first game in a tournament that we’re hosting at home,” she said. “There were some nerves and energy that I felt was a little disruptive at times but overall, I’m happy with our execution.”

Steel also paid tribute to the Singapore supporters, who were like the “eighth member of the team”.

Cheering loudly and keeping the energy level up from start to finish, the home crowd celebrated every goal by the Vandas animatedly.

Isle of Man’s captain Ashley Hall felt that the energy from the crowd was great for both teams to draw from.

“It was a brilliant crowd. We love the support, even if it was for the opponents. We felt we could feed off the vibe and it was brilliant,” she said.

In the day’s other matches, world No. 23 Kenya started their title defence with a 57-24 win over the developmental Singapore A team, while 33rd-ranked Papua New Guinea pipped 28th-ranked Malaysia 56-53.

In the early matches on Nov 3, Singapore A will face Isle of Man at 3pm, with Kenya meeting Malaysia at 5pm.

The 7pm match will be between Singapore and Papua New Guinea. In the 2023 edition, the Republic beat the Papuans

59-56 in the final

after losing 52-50 in the opener.

Amandeep believes it will be another close game, adding: “The last time we played them in 2023, we won by a very small margin. So I think we really have to treasure every ball, more so than we did today.”