Cambodia 2023: Team sports shine for Singapore on day 9 at the SEA Games

Singapore were in action across sports like sepak takraw on day 9 of the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. Photo: SNOC/Lim Wei Xiang

By May Chen

The 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia is into its final events, with only two more days of competitions left on the slate. 

Team Singapore, however, still has a packed schedule and picked up one gold, three silvers and nine bronzes on day 9 of the Games. They came through table tennis, wrestling, fencing, xiangqi, judo and taekwondo. 

Singapore's tally now stands at 42 golds, 37 silvers and 54 bronzes after day 9. 

Men’s water polo team post another crucial win

Singapore's Chiam Kun Yang in action during the team's match against Indonesia on Sunday at the Olympic Swimming Centre. Photo: SNOC/Andy Chua

The men’s water polo team just got another step closer to reclaiming the SEA Games title by beating defending champion Indonesia 12-5 at the Olympic Swimming Center on Sunday (14 May). 

The result was yet another crucial one that went the team’s way, having beaten regional rivals Thailand two days ago. Singapore is now unbeaten after three games. 

With victories against two of their stiffest rivals in Southeast Asia in the bag, team captain Lee Kai Yang was understandably emotional after the win against Indonesia. 

“It means everything,” he said. “We’re happy that we won, definitely a lot of emotions, four years of hard work.” 

Singapore suffered the heartbreak of losing the SEA Games title for the first time since 1965, when the team settled for bronze at the 2019 edition. 

Still, two more games remain, with the Philippines and host country Cambodia still to come. 

Said Lee: “We’re in a very good position (but) the Philippines is definitely no pushover. They have fantastic fighting spirit but I think we’re confident in our ability. We’re just going to focus on what we can control, which is our recovery.”

Meanwhile, catch Koh Jian Ying's post-match interview after the 12-5 win over Indonesia. (see below)

TeamSG's Koh Jian Ying's brief reactions after victory over Indonesia. Photo Credit : SNOC/Andy Chua.
Video Credit : Singapore Swimming Association and Sport Singapore

In the women’s event, Singapore beat Indonesia 10-6 in their 2nd round-robin match. Wrapping up their campaign with one loss to defending champions Thailand, plus an impressive win over Indonesia, the Republic now awaits the final day's outcome on 16 May. If the Thais triumph over Indonesia,  the former will be crowned champions again, while Singapore will bag the silver medal.

Meanwhile, ActiveSG Circle caught up with TeamSG's Captain Koh Ting Ting, for her post-match reactions (see above)

TeamSG skipper Koh Ting Ting's post-match interview after their 10-6 win over Indonesia. Photo Credit : SNOC/Danny Toh. Video Credit : Singapore Swimming Association and Sport Singapore

Men’s field hockey team to feature in final

Singapore's Silas Noor Shah in action during the team's match against Thailand. Photo: SportSG/Alfie Lee

The men’s field hockey team are guaranteed to improve on their last showing at the SEA Games, having earned a place in the final. 

They beat Thailand 6-1 today to secure the No. 2 spot in the pool, and will play regional kingpins Malaysia in the final on Tuesday (16 May). 

The team finished with a bronze at the 2017 Games, the last edition that featured field hockey. 
Meanwhile, catch Silas Noor Shah's post-match interview (see below)

TeamSG' Silas Noor Shah's post-match interview after their 6-1 win over Thailand. Photo Credit : SportSG/Alfie Lee. Video Credit : Singapore Hockey Federation and Sport Singapore

On the women’s side, Singapore remains unbeaten after a 5-0 win over the Philippines and will next play Thailand. 

Xiangqi athletes add to haul with rapid medal

Singapore xiangqi players Low Yi Hao (left) and Ng Junyang clinched a bronze in the men's rapid team event. Photo: SportSG/Flona Hakim

The xiangqi men’s rapid team of Ng Junyang and Low Yi Hao finished fourth out of six teams to earn a joint bronze. 

They beat Thailand and the Philippines, but suffered losses against Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam. 

Men’s doubles shuttlers advance to final four

Shuttler Johann Prajogo (right) and Nge Joo Jie will play Malaysia in the men's doubles semi-finals. Photo: SNOC/Andy Chua 

In badminton, Johann Prajogo and Nge Joo Jie paired up to beat their Causeway rivals. 

They posted a 21-19, 21-18 straight-games win against Chia Weijie and Liew Xun of Malaysia to earn a place in the semi-finals of the men’s doubles event. 

The Singaporean pair will next play Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana Riyanto and Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob. 

Floorball aiming to secure spots in the finals

Kumaresa Pasupathy in action in a men's floorball game against Cambodia. Photo: SportSG/Dawn Chua

A crucial game against Thailand awaits Singapore’s men’s floorball team on Monday. This comes after they were beaten 2-1 by the Philippines today and now lie third in the pool. 

A victory against Thailand would earn the team a place in the gold medal play-off on Tuesday. Meanwhile, catch the Man of the Match Jared Tan (GK) post-match interview (see below). 

TeamSG GK Jared Tan's post-match interview after their 2-1 loss to the Filipinos. Photo Credit : SportSG/Dawn Chua. Video Credit : Singapore Floorball Federation and Sport Singapore

Indoor Volleyball 

Following their opening defeats to powerhouses Vietnam and the Philippines, Singapore's women's team carved out their 1st win, via a 3-0 victory over Cambodia. TeamSG then competed and beat Myanmar 3-2, to book their showdown against Malaysia in the fight for a 5th place finish. And on 14 May, the Republic rose to the challenge and delivered a 3-2 win over their causeway rivals. With 24 goals scored by their top player Rachel Lau throughout the entire campaign, check out her post-match summary of Cambodia 2023 (see below)

TeamSG's top scorer Rachel Lau's post-match interview after their 3-2 win over Malaysia. Photo Credit : SportSG/Bryan Foo. Video Credit : Volleyball Singapore and Sport Singapore

Beach Volleyball 

With only 1 win in 3 round-robin matches, Singapore's Men's team faced Indonesia next. Both pairs namely Mark Shen + Kingsley Tay and Melvin Goh + Trevis Tan competed with passion and gusto. But the Indonesians went on to prevail 2 nil over TeamSG. So with 4 matches done and 1 win to show for, it was all down to results from other team's matches, which would determine Singapore's final match in Cambodia on 16 May, and its overall ranking among the competing teams. Meanwhile, do catch TeamSG's Mark Shen, as he gave a true reflection of his performance against Indonesia (see below)

TeamSG's Mark Shen's post-match interview after their 2-0 loss to Indonesia. Photo Credit : SNOC/Eng Chin An. Video Credit : Volleyball Singapore and Sport Singapore

The 32nd SEA Games are held in Cambodia from 5 to 17 May 2023. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.