| Fadhil Yunus |
THE Brunei Darussalam women national team suffered excruciating 9-0 defeats twice in a space of 24 hours to Singapore during a friendly test series at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium in Singapore.
The national hockey team have played preparatory games in a two-match friendly test against Malacca Sports School where they drew 0-0 and lost 4-0 earlier this month but their main purpose of the trip focused on a crucial pair of encounters against Singapore.
Singapore, currently ranked 40th by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), are twenty seven places below Brunei, however, the former has been the busier of the two when it comes to partaking in international fixtures.
“The Singapore national hockey team is more and experienced and is exposed to international match standard, consistent proper training and coaches. This year alone the Singapore team has a full schedule for tournaments and training,” said Brunei team captain Hajah Latifah binti Haji Sawal in an interview with the Bulletin.
The team captain added that it is quite difficult to beat Singapore considering their vast experience.
“It was tough but a good exposure for the Brunei team to play teams who boast a higher ranking or level than us,” the team captain added.
The pair have met previously once at international level when Singapore downed Brunei 6-0 in the latter’s final group game in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World League Round 1 at the same venue in April last year.
Hajah Latifah indicated that the pair’s meeting was a mismatch highlighting the gulf of class between the two sides.
Brunei Darussalam and Singapore teams in a group picture
“The level that Singapore is in compared to us (Brunei) is quite far,” continued Hajah Latifah who is one of the longest serving players in the team.
The captain also noted that their opponents have improved vastly since their FIH-sanctioned tournament.
“From our last match, the Singapore team improve a lot with their game pattern and tactics.”
Singapore only recently concluded their competitive meet in the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 where they secured sixth place.
The Stingers will continue to improve their fitness which Hajah Latifah feels that the team is currently lacking, the difficulty of assembling all players together as a team for proper training and highlighted the need to prepare well.
However, the national team has gained valuable experience despite the heavy defeats to their far superior opponents with Hajah Latifah noting that the team is now aware of facing a real international match situation and will be more prepared to adjust to any possibilities.
The team captain added that the Stingers can introduce new tactics, techniques and skills from the pair of friendly matches.
Hajah Latifah concluded that the national team is still at an infancy stage in the international scene adding that exposure and more international matches’ only serves to strengthen the team.
The hosts took the lead through a penalty corner in the 5th minute converted by Nicole Kwek before further goals from Jerelee Ong, Tam Wan Ting, Ivy Chan, Nadia Ibrahim, Chua Xinni, a double from Tiffany Ong and a penalty stroke from team captain Toh Limin completed the rout.
Singapore were equally dominant in the first game with Toh Limin opening the floodgates from a penalty corner before further goals from Laura Tan, Tam Wan Ting, Jerelee Ong, Rhys Wong and a hat-trick from Nur Atiqah helped the side stroll to victory.
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