Photo: Netball Singapore
After a 16-year wait, Singapore clinched the Mirxes Nations Cup once again in front of a packed OCBC Arena, following a thrilling victory over Papua New Guinea in the final.
The two teams were evenly matched coming into Saturday’s (October 28) showdown. Just six days earlier, in the tournament opener, Singapore had narrowly lost to the same opponents with a score of 52-50, and the stage was set for a riveting rematch.
Papua New Guinea, the 2008 Nations Cup winners, was on an undefeated run in the tournament entering the final of this edition of the tournament, and they wasted no time resuming their impressive form. Their precise passing and sharp shooting from goal scorer Goloa Ovoa and goal assist Kala Ali earned them an 18-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Under the leadership of co-captains Khor Ting Fang and Toh Kai Wei, Singapore upped their intensity in the second quarter, gradually taking control of the game. Their high-pressure play forced an error from the PNG side, allowing the home team to counterattack and level the score at 23-all. This momentum was further boosted by an impressive 5-point streak, propelling Singapore to a 28-23 lead at the end of the period.
In the second half, the dynamism of wing defence Ting Fang, center Tan Yi Jie and wing attack Angelina Lim effectively choked off the supply line from the PNG side. In addition, vice-captain Aqilah Andin and goal keeper Jamie Lim exhibited stellar defensive skills, nullifying Papua New Guinea's offense.
With pinpoint shooting from goal shooter Amandeep Kaur Chahal and goal assist Kai Wei, the team in red outscored their opponents 13-11 in the third quarter, establishing a commanding 48-37 lead heading into the final period.
Papua New Guinea regrouped and launched a determined 10-4 scoring run, narrowing the gap to 47-52. However, Singapore regained their composure and maintained their lead.
In a touching moment, former captain Charmaine Soh entered the game as a substitute in the final minute, met with thunderous cheers from the crowd. It was a fitting farewell for the 33-year-old player in her last international match, as Singapore triumphed 59-56.
After an illustrious 12-year career, adorned with Asian Championships and ASEAN Games gold medals in her prize cabinet, Soh retired on a high note, lifting her first Nations Cup. Amidst the well-wishes from the netball fraternity, tears streamed down Charmaine’s face as she expressed high hopes for the current crop of players: “I am proud of the girls and everyone who made it to the finals. And we won the gold medal! They play for the team, there are no individuals, and the future is very bright for Singapore.”
The performance of the second team from the host nation in the tournament further validated Charmaine’s observation. In the 5th and 6th placing match, Singapore A, with an average age of under 21, defeated the world's 20th ranked Sri Lanka with a score of 55-48. 19-year-old Norah Gabriel was elated with the team's achievements and affirmed their growth, “We didn’t enter the tournament very confidently, but we built up our confidence and it ended really well.”
The 3rd and 4th placing match between Cook Islands and Canada delivered a nail-biting finish, with the 2017 champions from the South Pacific ultimately prevailing with a 49-48 victory.
Check our Netball Singapore's Facebook page for event photo coverage as well as unforgettable moments from Charmaine Soh's incredible international netball career.
Photo: Netball Singapore
Related Articles
Recent Events & Programmes
Related Articles
Related Articles
View All[BlogPost 164749641842 NSG 2024 Netball: Senior Div Girls League 3 Preliminary Round 2, BlogPost 163985727414 Beyond the Field: Exciting Sports Careers for Non-Athletes, BlogPost 164438712123 NSG 2024 Badminton: Senior Div Girls Quarter-Finals, BlogPost 164238055490 Evergreen Aleksandar Duric Still Making Headlines at 53, BlogPost 164170080646 NSG 2024 Rope Skipping: Junior Div Girls Freestyle Team Finals, BlogPost 162884973666 Move and Rest Better With Data From Your Own Body, BlogPost 163393049482 Life Comes Full Circle For Serangoon Garden Secondary School's Fahrish Khan, BlogPost 163258797651 Making Golf a Sport for All, BlogPost 162512222328 NSG 2024 Sepaktakraw: Senior Div Yuhua Primary School vs Qihua Primary School, BlogPost 162233592997 Gritty Lions Suffer Loss to China, BlogPost 162089384371 On Your Mark, Get Ready, Go Running, BlogPost 161670652697 Lions' Excellent Showing Against China, BlogPost 161435270031 Ogura Optimistic for Exciting Clash against China, BlogPost 161127614758 The Future of Basketball in Singapore: Why 3x3 is Here to Stay, BlogPost 161033673012 The Active Lifestyler's Guide to the New ActiveSG Delta Sport Centre, BlogPost 161128356680 Grand New Champions Crowned at WTT Singapore Smash 2024, BlogPost 160844835218 NSG 2024 Table Tennis: C Div Boys Pool Round, BlogPost 160210745115 NSG 2024 Basketball: Senior Div Girls Tampines Primary School vs Frontier Primary School, BlogPost 159881180544 Whirlwind Return to Women's Football, BlogPost 159633541417 Singapore Smash to Elevate a New Legacy, BlogPost 158983580420 NSG 2024 Rugby: B Div Damai Secondary School vs Peirce Secondary School, BlogPost 159003960202 SFA Fiesta: Kicking off 2024 to a Roaring Start, BlogPost 158830735126 NSG 2024 Football: B Div Girls Preliminary Round Meridian Secondary School VS Bowen Secondary School, BlogPost 158536989718 Team Nila Volunteers Recognized At Awards Ceremony, BlogPost 158270107806 NSG 2024 Hockey: B Div Boys Preliminary Round Raffles Institution VS St. Hilda Secondary School, BlogPost 157966862615 NSG 2024 Floorball: B Division Preliminary Rounds Kick Off!, BlogPost 157562433712 What Is Safe Sport?, BlogPost 157559446197 Sengkang Secondary: Cultivating Well-Rounded Footballers, BlogPost 157368261167 New National Training Centre for Cricket at West Coast Ground, BlogPost 155340164987 Active Ageing with Joey Bonifacio, BlogPost 155930815517 Inaugural Singapore Youth League kicks off from 24th February 2024, BlogPost 155340164727 Bukit Canberra : the Coolest Spot in the North, BlogPost 155368905255 How Padang Fandi Inspired Ayden to Chase his Dream, BlogPost 154755572826 Ageing Backwards with Elizabeth Cheang, BlogPost 154094657315 Running For Fitness, BlogPost 153318636178 Excitement Builds for FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, BlogPost 153198644247 World's Top Four Confirmed for 2024 HSBC Women's World Championship, BlogPost 149413941770 Cultivating Your Kids’ Interest in the Outdoors, BlogPost 149413941163 Making Sport More Appealing for Our Kids, BlogPost 149412549409 Solo Or Team Sport – Choosing the Best for Your Child, BlogPost 151197478798 Former Lions Stalwart Baihakki Khaizan Sheds Light on New Accreditation to Elevate Grassroots Football and Youth Development, BlogPost 80703591291 New Year, Fitter You! Here are the top 3 workouts for the New Year, BlogPost 81171151456 7 Reasons Why Sports are Great for Children’s Mental Health, BlogPost 80542065330 17 Best Yoga Classes & Studios in Singapore [+ Rating & Prices], BlogPost 149404351798 From Brush to Lens: A Student's Journey in the World of Art and Sports Photography, BlogPost 149402825063 The Benefits of Active Parenting, BlogPost 149397832009 Sweden Claim 9th Straight Gold at the Women's World Floorball Championship, BlogPost 149397831449 Lion City Sailors Win 2023 Singapore Cup, BlogPost 148511324266 Pitch Perfect with Jonathan Teo, BlogPost 148511724402 Seniors: Increase your flexibility bit by bit with these stretches]