SEA Games: S'pore netballers vow to bring A-game against Malaysia in final

KUALA LUMPUR – Smiles all around, they embraced their supporters and posed for pictures after the final whistle went at the Juara Stadium.

The high spirits in the Singapore netball team was clear to see on Saturday afternoon (Aug 19) following their victory against Thailand in the semi-finals, having run out 55-43 winners.

That set up a tantalising showdown for the gold medal on Sunday (Aug 20) with reigning Asian champions Malaysia, who cruised to a 70-28 win against Brunei in their semi-final earlier in the day.

The hosts are favourites to avenge their loss to Singapore in the 2015 final and possibly have the psychological edge after a 50-37 win when both met in the group stage three days ago.

However, the Republic have vowed to step up their game in the rematch and believe their best is yet to come.

“We will definitely go for gold, even though we are underdogs,” said head coach Yeo Mee Hong.

“The girls are in very high spirits and we are definitely ready for the finals. Every day has been an improvement and the team chemistry has improved from day one, and we are happy with our progression.

“We’ll bring our A-game and nothing less tomorrow, definitely.”

Yeo was pleased with her charges’ display against the Thais, whom they had beaten 59-41 on Friday in the group stage, noting that they had executed the game-plan and also fine-tuned areas to work on.

Strong shooting from Charmaine Soh and Toh Kai Wei, who notched 40 (out of 47 attempts) and nine (out of 14) points respectively, helped Singapore edge a feisty Thai side that lost the second and final quarters by only a point.

“We are a new team but we’ve done very well (so far),” said Yeo, whose side comprises only five members from the 2015 team that won gold.

“Today, in terms of working (hard) in defence and being tighter, we were able to execute that… We will continue to work on the areas we need to and we are ready for Malaysia.”

Vice-captain Nurul Baizura was happy with the calmness and composure shown by the team but noted they would have to make some slight changes to their strategy against Malaysia.

“They are more physical, so we need to reduce our aerial balls and play short and sharp, Singapore-style,” she said.

Soh, the key figure in Singapore’s attack, praised her side’s consistency and hunger, and she is aiming to work even better with her co-shooters in the final.

“Everyone has a different style of play and we just have to adapt each other,” said the co-vice captain, referring to the likes of Toh, Zhang Ailin and Jocelyn Ng.

“Whoever gets on court, we just have to click and work together… We don’t want to peak too soon and the loss against Malaysia on Wednesday definitely woke us up.

“We take things one game at a time, but our goal is definitely (to perform the best) in the final and we are all excited to play tomorrow.”

The SEA Games netball final between Singapore and Malaysia will be played on Sunday (Aug 20) at 3pm.