SVHA squeeze past National Women

29 August 09, SINGAPORE: In the battle of the national teams, SVHA edged the National Women 1-0 to keep their hunt for a playoff spot very much life.

Needing to win all their remaining games to have a realistic chance of playing in the play-offs, the SVHA started nervously, a frame of mind that would haunt them for the rest of the game. Despite the nerves, they created the better chances and were denied time and again by the National Women defence and exceptional goalkeeper.

The attack led by Kanan Packrisamy were well marked and it took a bizarre decision by the Australian umpire for the early deadlock to be broken. SVHA's George Edward was attempting to score off a penalty corner and the ball struck the National Women seemingly on her body. The umpire awarded a penalty stroke which was bizarre as the player had not used her body deliberately to block the ball and the goalkeeper was behind her.

All the same, Packrisamy with his nerve of steel in tow converted the stroke with consumate ease (the end result should never be in doubt :))

The win coupled with Hollandse Club's defeat at the hands of C&C United has proppelled SVHA back into the top 4. A position they will probably retain if they win their final 2 games.

--ends--