Tuesday, January 26, 2010 – On the first day of Singapore’s first Youth Handball Tournament, the second match featured the boys teams from Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. Competing at the grand hall of Suntec International Convention Center (ICC), much were anticipated from the players of Chinese Taipei as they marched onto the court towering over the players from Hong Kong. Ms Yu Zi Xiang and Ms Yang Hua, both renowned regional handball referees, were the appointed referees for this match.
Chinese Taipei was 14-men strong team and was led by the following the team officials – Lin Fu-liang, Su Ta-chih, Hsu Tai-ying and Wu Yi-shan. The Hong Kong team also featured a similar-strength squad and was led by Li Ko Kei, Lo Tak Kai, Ip Chun Wai Irv and Wong Yan Kit.
As the match commenced at 12.00pm sharp (Singapore timing) in Hall 602 of Suntec ICC, the Hong Kong players in white jerseys captured the opening goal of the match courtesy of right winger Lau Wang Kei. The Taipei team featuring Chen Po Feng, Liu You Tsung, Chen Wei Hsiang, Wu Chi Hsuan, Lu Tsung Yu, Chuang Chao Hao and Ciou You Cyuan (goalkeeper), was fast showing their prowess by scoring 4 goals by the 4th minute, pulling the score to 4 (TPE) : 1 (HKG). The first yellow card was awarded by Referee Yu Zi Xiang to Chen Po Feng from Taipei. As the Hong Kong team attempted to fight back with active pivot play after the 7th minute, Taipei’s Chuan Chao Hao defended well and blocked Hong Kong’s play repeatedly. Just 12minutes into the match, the score was pulled apart to 9 (Taipei) : 2 (Hong Kong). Hong Kong team called for a time-out at the 12th minute when the score reached 9 (Taipei) : 2 (Hong Kong). 
Returning to the court motivated by the coach, Hong Kong team had a turn-around in performance and put up a tougher challenge for the opponents. Hong Kong’s Liu Hoi Man drew a foul through Taipei’s Wu Chi Hsuan who pushed and was slapped with a 2-minute foul-out. A 7m penalty was given to Hong Kong and was taken by Lau Weng Ki who missed the goal. The first half ended with an excellent lob ball from Chov Hson Mim (Taipei) over a 6-men wall and goalkeeper, Siu Chi Ting.
In the second half of the game, Hong Kong team’s play took a slight change in defence which halted several of Taipei’s attempt on goal. Hong Kong was awarded a 7m penalty throw during which Taipei attempted to change keeper to take on the penalty throw but was too slow in the change and eventually forbidden by referee. However, Hong Kong was unable to convert the penalty to boost their score. Hong Kong’s 33, Kuo Sze Ming, was a scoring streak but was taken down through a block by two Taipei defenders. Kuo Sze Ming had to be rolled onto the nearest sideline and treated. After the substitution by Hong Kong, Taipei capitalized on the loss of the scoring streak. Taipei’s offensive left winger Chen Po Feng broke through the high defending line and faked a jump-shot on Hong Kong’s goalkeeper, passing the ball to his incoming teammate, Chang Ung Yuan, who flew into the 6m area and pushed the ball into the netting without much challenge. Hong Kong team displayed a highly determined attitude in this half and closed the score from the largest difference of 10 points to a mere 5 point with a final score of Chinese Taipei 31 : Hong Kong 26 and Chinese Taipei Boys Team clinching their first match win in the Singapore 1st Youth Handball Tournament.
Written by: Janelle Koh
Photos taken by: Meiyin
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