Lawrence Wong: Preparations for 2015 SEA Games Underway

SINGAPORE UPDATED — The organisers of the 28th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Singapore in 2015 have entered a detailed phase of preparations, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong.

He also said that some 15,000 volunteers will be roped in for the event.

In just 18 months’ time, Singapore will play host to the region’s biggest sporting spectacle, and organisers will begin to announce details of the event from mid-February next year.

Bronze on Singapore Young Lions’ Minds

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Following their 1-0 semi-final loss to Thailand in the SEA Games football competition, the Singapore Under-23 boys who did not play in Thursday’s match at Zeyarthiri Stadium took a morning practice session at the Lewe training field.

Several may fancy their chances of being named in the starting XI for the bronze-medal match tonight against Malaysia, with coach Aide Iskandar open to the possibility of blooding the bench-warmers, although he insists the final line-up is still under consideration.

According to him, it was still important for the Young Lions to return home with a medal and playing Malaysia will give the players extra motivation. Only five days ago, the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw in their Group A match. And both teams will need to shrug off the disappointment of losing their semi-finals to contest for the minor prize.

Said Aide: “The players don’t want to have travelled all the way here to go home empty-handed.

“They are still feeling a bit down from losing to Thailand, but they will need to shrug that off and start feeling the hunger again for a medal.”

Ong Kim Swee’s Harimau Muda will arguably be more fatigued, as this game will be their fifth match in eight days — it showed in their lethargic loss on Thursday to Indonesia on penalties.

As Ong told TODAY: “Singapore have the advantage because we have just finished a mentally-sapping game against Indonesia that went into extra time and penalties ... It’s a question of who is hungrier for the bronze, but I will remind my team that pride is at stake.”

Apart from minor knocks, Aide should be able to field his strongest line-up against Malaysia, although striker Shahfiq Ghani’s place could be under threat. The 21-year-old has had a dismal campaign, failing to reproduce his Malaysian Super League form when he scored six goals for the LionsXII. 

That could mean a second start in Myanmar for 20-year-old Iqbal Hussain, or a reshuffle in the line-up to give the Young Lions more bite up front.

While Aide conceded that Shahfiq has not shown up at this tournament, he refused to confirm the forward’s selection for the bronze-medal tie. “I don’t want to give the game away as I’m sure Ong Kim Swee would also want to win this one,” he said.

Beating Malaysia tonight will mean a repeat of the bronze-medal win from the 2009 Games. The Young Lions failed to advance from the group stage at the 2011 Games. 

Football: Malaysia vs Singapore SEA Games Report

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore’s footballers ended their SEA Games campaign with a bronze medal after defeating Malaysia on Saturday evening in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

It might not have been the colour they wanted to come home with, but Aide Iskandar’s charges will be happy to have finished their campaign with victory following a limp 1-0 defeat to Thailand in the semi-finals two days earlier.

A late free-kick from their Causeway rivals had denied Singapore a win when they met earlier in Group A, but there was to be no repeat of that 1-1 result the second time round.

Ong Kim Swee’s charges, who crashed out to Indonesia on penalties in their semi-final, had started brightly in front of the 2,000-odd supporters at the Zeyar Thiri Sports Stadium.

D. Saarvindran curled a free-kick wide before Nazmi Faiz slammed a 30-yard drive past the post, with the latter then shooting straight at Izwan Mahbud in the seventh minute.

But the Young Lions took the lead with their first attack. Gabriel Quak, who came in for his first start of the tournament, beat his man on the right and skipper Hariss Harun earned a corner after coming over to help out.

From Zulfahmi Arifin’s resulting delivery, goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi fumbled his catch and Hariss was johnny-on-the-spot to easily tap home the loose ball in the 13th minute.

Just one minute later, Hariss grabbed his second.

The midfielder, playing in an advanced role behind sole striker Sahil Suhaimi, timed a late run into the box perfectly to knock home a left-wing cross from the latter and stun the Malaysians in a double whammy.

Izwan pushed Saarvindran’s curler behind in the 20th minute before comfortably gathering Hazwan Bakri’s attempt from range on the half-hour, but the Malaysians were held at bay with a degree of comfort as they trailed at the break.

Rozaimi, who scored the equaliser in that first match, was brought on in the 51st minute as Malaysia upped the firepower but it was Singapore who threatened more.

Quak saw two efforts saved by Izham and Hafiz Sujad rocked the bar with a piledriver, with the former then lashing another shot over before Sahil wasted a two-on-one break with a poor final ball.

Malaysia made them pay past the hour mark when Afiq Yunos’s headed clearance fell to Thamil Arasu in the box, who was left unmarked to volley the ball into the bottom corner.

Singapore’s profligacy threatened to haunt them as the tide turned, with the yellow shirts looking increasingly dangerous.

Thamil, who was more of a menace in the second half, lashed a fierce strike from a narrow angle not far wide before setting up Nazmi for a volley that was hit straight at Izwan, as Malaysia pushed hard for an equaliser.

Another breakaway was wasted by Singapore when Sahil sprinted clear and beat Izham with his cross, but no team-mate kept up with him.

It was all hands to the pump as Malaysia piled on the pressure in the dying minutes, but it was to no avail.

Izwan was forced to clutch on to another low effort in added time and the custodian was left rooted as Saarvindran’s half-volley flew centimetres wide, leaving the winger clutching his head in disbelief.

That was the last chance for Malaysia as Singapore clung on for victory, perhaps redeeming themselves in part by bagging the bronze over the defending champions.

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Hariss hits brace as Singapore win bronze
The Young Lions captain scored twice in two minutes to stun the Malaysians as they survived a late onslaught from the defending champions to clinch third place. (Photo)
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Thais Take Football Gold With 1-0 Win Over Indonesia

THAILAND UPDATED. Thailand beat Indonesia 1-0 to take gold in the men's under-23 football final at the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar on Saturday.

A clever finish by forward Sarawut Masuk on 21 minutes was enough to hold off the hard-working Indonesians -- who were runners-up and silver medalists for the second tournament in a row.

Singapore earlier took bronze after beating defending champions Malaysia 2-1.

The Thais went into the final as hot favourites after trouncing the Indonesians 4-1 in the group stage and going unbeaten for the whole tournament.

But there was to be no repeat of that cake walk in an absorbing, tight encounter.

The Indonesian midfield recovered from a cagey start to take control of the game, but the side lacked conviction in the final third allowing the Thai defence to easily mop up attacks.

For all their endeavour it was the Thais who struck first.

The deadlock was broken on 21 minutes as Thailand's Sarawut Masuk cut through the Indonesian backline with a one-two before chipping the ball exquisitely over the advancing goalkeeper.

Thereafter Thailand appeared content to absorb pressure and launch the occasional counter-attack.

While Indonesia huffed and puffed they carved few clear chances, although the industrious Ramdani Lestaluhu clipped the outside of the post on 75 minutes after a melee in the goal area.

At the final whistle the delighted Thai bench streamed onto the pitch to celebrate with their teammates, while the inconsolable Indonesians sunk to the turf at Naypyidaw's purpose-built Zayar Thiri Stadium.
It was the second narrow SEA Games loss for the Indonesians, who fell on penalties at home to Malaysia in the 2011 final.

The result gives the Thais gold for the first time since 2007.

It also secured a double gold for Thai football after the women's team overcame Vietnam in the final on Friday.

Fiercely contested but little known outside the region, the SEA Games are held every two years, giving athletes from lesser sporting nations a chance of medal glory.

Myanmar's hosting of the Games has been seen as a 'coming out' party for the former junta-ruled nation as it undergoes sweeping reforms.

Thailand leads the medals table with 106 golds with one day of competition to go while the hosts are in second on 84 golds.

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Thailand's Praweenwat Boon Yong celebrates after scoring a penalty for a 1-0 lead against Singapore in the football semifinal during the 27th SEA Games in Naypyidaw's Zeyar Thiri Stadium, Myanmar, on Dec 19, 2013. -- Photo: Kevin Lim
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Singapore Sailors Bag 5 Golds, 2 Silvers & 5 Bronzes

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore's sailors have clinched at least four titles at the ongoing SEA Games, held at the Ngwe Saung beach in Myanmar.

The team's Optimist sailors made a comeback after losing the team title to Thailand earlier in the week, taking both the individual titles. Edward Tan bagged the boys' trophy while Fathin Rasyiqin won the girls' event.


Elizabeth Yin won the Laser Radial, a one-person Olympic-class dinghy, while Kimberly Lim and Savannah Siew were untouchable in the girls' 420 class.

Cecilia Low and Priscilia Low are also ranked first in the women's 470 class and will go on to win the gold if the protest is dismissed.

A total of 13 titles were up for grabs at the biennial event.

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Singapore's Optimist sailors consisting of (from left) Raynn Kwok, Edward Tan, Bertha Han, Isaac Tang, coach Fernando Alegre and Fathin Rasyqin Firdaus. The team has clinched at least four titles at the ongoing SEA Games, held at the Ngwe Saung beach in Myanmar on Friday, Dec 20, 2013. -- Photo: Singapore Sailng
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Singapore Beat Malaysia 2-1 to Clinch Football Bronze

SINGAPORE UPDATED. A two-minute brace by Hariss Harun against Malaysia gave Singapore's football team a bronze medal at the Myanmar SEA Games on Saturday.

Singapore won bronze after defeating Malaysia 2-1.

Hariss bundled home his first goal with 13 minutes gone, after the Malaysian goalkeeper fluffed his lines at a corner.

The 23-year-old then struck his second goal moments later, following great work down the flanks by Sahil Suhaimi.

Malaysia stepped up after the break and pulled one back after a defensive blunder by Afiq Yunos.

The Tigers could even have levelled at the death, but Izwan Mahbud was alert to the danger.

Singapore held off further attacks to clinch bronze, and give Malaysia their first normal time defeat in 15 SEA Games outings.

Head coach for Singapore U-23s Aide Iskandar said the achievement means little consolation for missing out on the gold, but plans are in place to achieve gold in 2015.

He said: "I believe that with good preparation, we can look forward to a good tournament.

"I think from now on, with this bronze medal, I believe that we should be working towards getting our first gold, because that is the only medal that we have not achieved at this point in time."

Singapore Earn Football Bronze After 2-1 Win Over Malaysia

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore's men's football team clinched the bronze medal at the South-east Asia (SEA) Games in Myanmar, after beating rivals Malaysia 2-1 in their third-place play-off match on Saturday.


A quickfire first-half double by Singapore captain Hariss Harun gave the Young Lions a perfect start, before Malaysia pulled one back through Thamil Arasu.

With this football bronze, Team Singapore's tally for this SEA Games stands at 34 golds, 29 silvers and 45 bronzes.
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Football SEA Games Heartbreak for Singapore

SINGAPORE UPDATED. A first-half penalty was enough for Thailand to overcome the Young Lions and end their hopes of a first-ever Gold medal.

Praweenwat Boonyong's 23rd minute penalty proved to be enough to send Thailand through to the SEA Games final and keep the War Elephants in the hunt for a Gold medal, as they overcame Singapore 1-0.

The Young Lions started off the strongest with Hafiz Sujad passing on a very good opportunity in the third minute. Played through on goal by Zulfahmi Ariffin, with no one near to challenge, Hafiz dragged his shot wide despite having time and space.

Seven minutes later Afiq Yunos headed over from a corner-kick as he rose the highest and unmarked.

With Thailand still nowhere near to even challenge Singapore in the final third, a poor defensive lapse from Izwan Mahbud proved costly.

Safuwan Baharudin waited for Izwan to claim a loose ball in the penalty box but with the goalkeeper hesitating the ball broke free for Charyl Chappuis who was brought down by Madhu Mohana.

Praweenwat stood up and easily slotted home to make it 1-0 for Thailand.

Singapore started the second-half with no real sense of haste or panic, and opted for a slow possession game to bring themselves back into the game.

But the solitary goal proved to be game changer as the match tilted in favour of the Thais who had no difficulty keeping Singapore at bay for the remainder of the game.

Afiq Yunos and Sahil Suhaimi both came close in the second period of play but neither were able to really trouble Kawin Thamsatchanan in goal for Thailand.

The introduction of Izzdin Shahfiq to push Hariss Harun upfront in a more attacking role also failed to conjure up anything noteworthy. Iqbal Hussain and Gabriel Quak both were sent on as late substitutes in the dying minutes of the game and were also unable to make a dent in the game.

Singapore failed to trouble Thailand any further and Izwan Mahbud had only one easy gather from a long range effort to account for for the rest of the game, as the Thais too failed to trouble offensively.

But the penalty goal was more than enough to send the young side to the Gold medal match against Indonesia, whom they had trashed 4-0 in the group stages. Singapore meanwhile will contend for a Bronze medal against Malaysia. 

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Thailand Edge Singapore 1-0 in SEA Games Semi-Final

THAILAND UPDATED. Singapore have failed to meet their target of reaching the finals of the football competition at the 2013 SEA Games after Thailand beat them 1-0 in the semi-final.

In SEA Games football, Singapore have failed to meet their target of reaching the finals of the competition after Thailand beat them 1-0 in the semi-final.

The Thais will take on Indonesia in Saturday's final, after the Indonesians edged out Malaysia 4-3 in a penalty shootout in the earlier match. The Indonesia-Malaysia semi-final match had ended in a 1-1 draw.

Hafiz Abu Sujad missed an early opportunity to give Singapore the lead, with his left-footed shot going wide.

On 23 minutes, Thailand earned a penalty after Madhu Mohana brought down Charyl Chappuis. Praweenwat Boonyong made no mistake from the spot kick to give his team the one goal advantage.

The defeat means Singapore now face Malaysia in the bronze medal play-off.
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Football: Thailand vs Singapore Preview

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore is one step away from achieving their goal set by Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Zainudin Nordin to reach the final, but Southeast Asian giants Thailand stand in their way.

The Young Lions started their SEA Games campaign in disappointing fashion after being able to muster only a 1-1 draw against 10-man Laos in the opening match of the group stages. They spurned a host of chances and were eventually punished by a late set-piece equaliser after a lapse of concentration in defense.



However, Aide Iskandar’s boys have bounced back admirably since then, putting in a magnificent defensive shift in a 1-0 victory over Vietnam, which was followed by a routine 2-0 victory over whipping boys Brunei.

Singapore were a whisker away from beating causeway rivals Malaysia too, but a last minute free-kick by Rozaimi Rahman earned his team a share of the spoils and forced Singapore to settle for second spot in Group A.

Thailand, on the other hand, comfortably topped their group after brushing aside Timor Leste 3-1 before demolishing fellow semi-finalists Indonesia 4-1. They then sealed their qualification berth after coming from behind to draw 1-1 against hosts Myanmar before resting their key players in a 0-0 draw against Cambodia.

Both teams have two wins and two draws from four games, but Thailand would seem to be favourites entering this tie.

Defender Praweenwat Boon Yong and midfielders Pokklaw A Nan and Thitiphan Puangjan have all scored two goals each in the group stages while Adisak Kraisorn and Atit Daosawang have a goal apiece.

As for Singapore, Sahil Suhaimi is currently the joint-top scorer in the tournament with three goals, while Hariss Harun and Afiq Yunos have bagged a goal each.

Prior to the tournament, Aide mentioned that he did not want his team to peak too early, instead expecting his boys to pace themselves and improve as the tournament wore on. So far, his plan seems to be working.

But if they are to reach Zainudin’s goal of getting into the final, now is the time for Aide’s charges to peak and play their best, because Thailand would hold the biggest test for Singapore.

The blossoming defensive partnership between Afiq Yunos and Safuwan Baharudin will be key to stop the Thais from scoring, while striking duo Shahfiq Ghani and Sahil will need to make the most of the chances that come their way.

Thailand lost their 14-year Gold medal winning streak in 2009 when Malaysia clinched top spot. The 2011 was also won by Harimau Muda. Singapore meanwhile have never won the SEA Games gold and failed to claim a podium finish at the last games.
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Singapore: Road to 2013 SEA Games Final

SINGAPORE UPDATED. The Goal team takes a look at the paths of the remaining four sides and analyse their chances of clinching the coveted Gold medal

Path to Semi-Final
The Young Lions started their SEA Games campaign in disappointing fashion after being able to muster only a 1-1 draw against 10-man Laos in the opening match of the group stages. They spurned a host of chances and were eventually punished by a late set-piece equaliser after a lapse of concentration in defense.

However, Aide Iskandar’s boys have bounced back admirably since then, putting in a magnificent defensive shift in a 1-0 victory over Vietnam 1-0, which was followed by a routine 2-0 victory over whipping boys Brunei.

Also read : Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

Singapore were a whisker away from beating causeway rivals Malaysia too, but a last minute free-kick by Rozaimi Rahman earned the Harimau Muda a share of the spoils and forced the Young Lions to settle for second spot in Group A.

Strength
Singapore has shown to be defensively sound so far at the tournament. They've kept Vietnam at bay and have yet to concede from open play.

Their new style of quick passing and high pressure has been working well for the team so far. The Young Lions have developed from a "long-ball" team, taking quick teams like Vietnam by surprise.   

Weakness
The biggest problem with Singapore is their profligacy in front of goal. Since the warm-up matches leading to the SEA games, their failure to convert their chances was highlighted as a key problem, and it has been said that that will be the biggest factor preventing the Young Lions from progressing.

Chance for Final
If they are to reach their goal of getting into the final, now is the time for Aide’s charges to peak and play their best, because Thailand would hold the biggest test for Singapore.

The blossoming defensive partnership between Afiq Yunos and Safuwan Baharudin will be key to stop the Thais from scoring, while striking duo Shahfiq Ghani and Sahil will need to make the most of the chances that come their way.
goal.com

Tired Canoeists' Fire 'Not Strong'

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapor's canoeists bagged their second gold at the SEA Games yesterday through the K2 200m duo of Suzanne Seah and Stephenie Chen.

But after three gruelling days, the team left the Ngalike Dam in quiet disappointment after failing to better their previous two gold, three silver, one bronze showing at the 2011 Games, or hit their target of three golds. Their 2013 campaign ended with a 2-2-2 tally.

However, coach Balazs Babella refused to fault his team, saying that they had given their best. The Hungarian explained that he had expected too much of them throughout the year - which has led to mental fatigue.

Midway through their Games campaign, he noticed that his charges looked tired and that the "fire" they had displayed in previous competitions was missing.

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Stephenie Chen (right) and Suzanne Seah paddling their way to gold in the women’s K2 200m at Ngalike Dam yesterday – doubling their haul after winning the 500m race the day before. - Photo : Kevin Lim
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Team Singapore's Home Away From Home at SEA Games

In the same way that Myanmar's capital city of Naypyidaw is sprawled out over lush greenery, the SEA Games' Athletes Village is also a collection of two-storey blocks dotted sparsely over an expansive countryside.

While some Games villages comprise densely-packed flats that resemble Singapore's condominiums, like that at last year's London Olympics, this version is grouped into 10 clusters of blocks flung out across a hilly terrain.


A three-minute shuttle bus ride takes one from the main gate to the cluster where Team Singapore are staying.

The athletes are housed in five blocks of eight rooms, with each room containing six beds. The beds are occupied on a rotational basis since some athletes compete earlier and depart by the time the later batch arrives.
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Singapore struggle against 10-man Laos (Video)

The Lions dominated possession but were let down by poor finishing

Singapore failed to get their SEA Games campaign off to a winning start after they could only muster a 1-1 draw against 10-man Laos at the Zayarthiri Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on Sunday night.

Courts Young Lions forward Sahil Suhaimi gave Singapore the lead in the 27th minute but substitute Khuanta Sivongthong’s 86th-minute equaliser prevented Aide Iskandar’s men from securing all three points.

Laos were reduced to 10 men after just two minutes after defender Saychon Khunsamnarn was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on LionsXII forward Shahfiq Ghani.

See Video:


 

The Lions dominated possession after that but were struggling to find any rhythm in attack and hardly troubled the Laos goalkeeper.

But they did manage to break the deadlock in the 27th minute when Zulfahmi Arifin’s lob over the Laos defence was well controlled by Sahil, who then volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner.

Singapore set up camp in the Laotian half in the second 45 minutes but poor passing in the final third of the pitch prevented them from extending their lead.

Laos never stopped running and were rewarded for their hard work in the 86th minute when Sivongthong rose the highest to head a free-kick past Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

Singapore will next play Vietnam - who trounced Brunei 7-0 earlier Sunday - on December 10.
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Singapore struggle against 10-man Laos (Video)

The Lions dominated possession but were let down by poor finishing

Singapore failed to get their SEA Games campaign off to a winning start after they could only muster a 1-1 draw against 10-man Laos at the Zayarthiri Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on Sunday night.

Courts Young Lions forward Sahil Suhaimi gave Singapore the lead in the 27th minute but substitute Khuanta Sivongthong’s 86th-minute equaliser prevented Aide Iskandar’s men from securing all three points.

Laos were reduced to 10 men after just two minutes after defender Saychon Khunsamnarn was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on LionsXII forward Shahfiq Ghani.

See Video:


 

The Lions dominated possession after that but were struggling to find any rhythm in attack and hardly troubled the Laos goalkeeper.

But they did manage to break the deadlock in the 27th minute when Zulfahmi Arifin’s lob over the Laos defence was well controlled by Sahil, who then volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner.

Singapore set up camp in the Laotian half in the second 45 minutes but poor passing in the final third of the pitch prevented them from extending their lead.

Laos never stopped running and were rewarded for their hard work in the 86th minute when Sivongthong rose the highest to head a free-kick past Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

Singapore will next play Vietnam - who trounced Brunei 7-0 earlier Sunday - on December 10.
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Striking While It's Hot, S'pore Footballers Set Sights on Laos

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Misfiring a few weeks ago, Singapore's attackers seem to have re-discovered their scoring touch and are brimming with confidence too.

Striker Sahil Suhaimi has even set himself a lofty personal goal ahead of tonight's SEA Games football opener against Laos - outscoring strike partner Shahfiq Ghani at the tournament.

"Shahfiq said he wants five goals so I'd like maybe one or two more than him," the 21-year-old told The Sunday Times yesterday.
The Courts Young Lions player is in high spirits and rightly so.
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Singapore Embarrassed by 10-man Laos in SEA Games Football Opener

The Singapore Under-23 football team began their SEA Games quest for gold in underwhelming fashion when they drew 1-1 with unfancied Laos on Sunday night.

The result left the Young Lions red-faced as the Laotians played the game with 10 men after skipper Khampoumy Hanevilay was sent off after just two minutes in Naypyidaw's Zayyarthiri Stadium.

 
Courts Young Lions striker Sahil Suhaimi gave Aide Iskandar's side the lead after 28 minutes but Laos fought back to equalise through Khouanta Sivongthong's header in the 86th minute.

Singapore's next game is on Tuesday against Vietnam, who crushed Brunei 7-0 in their opening match.
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Singapore Wushu Exponents Bag a Silver in Changquan & a Bronze in Men's Duilian

SINGAPORE UPDATED. Singapore's wushu contingent won their first medals of the SEA Games on Sunday afternoon at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

Tan Yan Ni, 17, won the Republic's first silver medal of the biennial affair when she finished second in the changquan event.

Lee Tze Yuan, 23, and Yong Yi Xiang, 19, clinched a bronze medal in the men's duilian (barehand) event.

Singapore's medal tally currently stands at one silver and two bronzes.

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Wushu exponent Tan Yan Ni (centre), 17, a silver medalist in women's changquan, with men's duilian bronze medalists Yong Yi Xiang (left), 20, and Lee Tze Yuan (right), 23, in the games village after a day of competition in the SEA Games held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, on Sunday, Dec 8, 2013. Singapore's wushu contingent won their first medals of the SEA Games on Sunday afternoon at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. Photo: Kevin Lim
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Singapore Attempts Chinlone at SEA Games, Goes Down Fighting to Malaysia

SINGAPORE UPDATED. There is no Singapore national chinlone team. In fact, there may not be any chinlone players in Singapore to begin with.

But that didn’t stop the republic from gamely sending its sepak takraw team to take part in the traditional Burmese sport at the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar on Wednesday.

The six-man team from Singapore was promptly kicked out in the preliminary rounds by neighbours Malaysia, losing all three sets 50-79, 55-85 and 51-82 in an overall 156-246 beating.

A valiant effort and not bad at all for their first time ever competing, according to captain Muhammad Magrib.

“Some of us only tried it three hours before the game,” said the striker. “The Myanmar people didn’t expect us to score above 100 points even.”

Granted, chinlone – which is making its SEA Games debut – bears similarities to sepak takraw, with both employing the lower limbs to move the same rattan ball.

But the thousand-year-old sport does not involve a net nor direct competition with another team: its objective is for players in a circle to take turns keeping the ball airborne while performing tricks at the same time.

“It’s such a happy game,” said Singapore sepak takraw coach Salleh Nanang. “When Myanmar asked, the players really wanted to try their hand at it.”

The team still has two more chinlone events to play over the next two days, before their sepak takraw contest begins proper on 10 December.

And Magrib, clearly passionate about anything involving the keepie-uppie, told Yahoo Singapore he hopes that Singapore’s willingness to participate in such an obscure sport will promote its inclusion at future SEA Games, including the 2015 edition to be held in the Lion City.
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Singapore Table Tennis Confident of Strong SEA Games Showing

SINGAPORE UPDATED.Top-ranked paddlers Gao Ning and Feng Tianwei may be sitting out the 27th SEA Games next month, but the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) is bullish about winning three out of four gold medals on offer in Myanmar.

Only Yu Mengyu, Isabelle Li and Pang Xuejie of the eight-member contingent have competed at the regional Games.

Four-time Commonwealth Championships gold medallist Zhan Jian will lead the charge for the men, while 24-year-old Yu — the world No 22 competed at the Games in 2007 and 2009 — will captain the women’s team.

The STTA had decided to rest senior players Gao, Yang Zi and Feng to blood younger players ahead of major competitions such as next year’s Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympics.

While the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta had featured five gold-medal events — Singapore made a clean sweep — the Dec 17 to 21 table tennis competition in Naypyitaw will only host four events: Men’s and women’s team, and men’s and women’s singles.

“The STTA believes that there must be a mix of experienced and young players for the SEA Games to give our most talented youngsters an opportunity to shine,” said STTA President Lee Bee Wah at the association’s Toa Payoh headquarters yesterday.

“We have given our young team a high target of getting at least three gold medals at the SEA Games. It is not easy but it’s not impossible. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam will be strong, and Myanmar has a new team of foreign talents (from China).”

Lee is hopeful their local youngsters will shine when the 2015 SEA Games takes place at the new S$1.33 billion Sports Hub, adding: “I hope that after this SEA Games, Isabelle, Clarence (Chew) and Xuejie can lead the team in 2015.

“We are already of international standard, and I would like to see how much they progress and cope under the pressure this time. I hope they will be ready for the 2015 SEA Games, and also for the 2016 Olympic Games.”

Clarence and Isabelle will join seniors Zhan Jian and Yu to contest the men’s and women’s singles at the Wunna Theikdi indoor stadium, and women’s team head coach Jing Junhong is hoping for an all-Singaporean final for the women.

“Over the last two years, Isabelle has improved a lot, such as how she copes with competitions and stronger opponents, and she is a tougher player,” she said.

“She will be at a disadvantage against the players from Thailand and Malaysia, but I hope to see two of our players meeting in the final.”

A silver medallist (women’s singles) at the 2011 SEA Games, 19-year-old Isabelle is looking forward to her first visit to Myanmar.

“It’s a mixture of feelings for me, but mostly of excitement as I expect this to be a different journey from the Indonesia Games,” said the Republic Polytechnic student.

“I’m definitely going for gold for 2013 and it’s something to aim for and work towards.”

Men’s team: Zhan Jian, Clarence Chew, Li Hu, Pang Xuejie
Women’s team: Yu Mengyu, Isabelle Li, Lin Ye, Zhou Yihan
todayonline.com
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