Grit, guts and a master move by their teacher proved to be a winning formula for Victoria School (VS), as the floorball team clinched the boys’ B Division gold on Wednesday.
After the 2022 season, VS’ floorball teacher-coach Lee Ren Ji decided to convert defender Muhammad Edel Mahbub Harahap into a forward.
This proved to be a winning move as the 16-year-old scored four goals in the 14-2 win over St Gabriel’s Secondary School in the National School Games’ boys’ B final at Our Tampines Hub.
It was sweet redemption as VS recaptured the title they lost the previous year.
Said Edel: “I feel like the way I play is more suitable for me to be a forward, as my game is more fast paced.
“I told myself after last year that we have only got one more year (with the school), so we have to make it count.”
Aside from having to adapt to the switch in roles, the Secondary 4 student also had to play through pain after injuring his ankle days before the start of the season.
He said: “I had to take precautionary measures, such as icing my ankle regularly. My game time was also managed so that I was fully fit for the season run-in.”
Edel’s displays earned praise from Lee, who said: “Today, he showed the discipline and determination that we know he had.”
A crowd of 600 turned out in force at Tampines to cheer on the team as VS romped to a 5-1 lead in the first period, which Edel attributed to their quick counter-attack strategy.
They never looked back after that, scoring four and five goals in the second and third periods respectively for the win to make up for their loss to Bukit Merah Secondary School in the 2022 final.
Edel said: “The loss (in 2022) erupted the fire in us. We knew we had to win this year.”
Lee added: “Without the bitter taste of defeat, we would not be able to enjoy the sweetness of victory.
“The boys trusted each other, and you can see today that the whole team had a brotherhood.”
VS captain Gerald Tan, 15, who chipped in with three goals, said: “The team put in our best performance as a whole unit.”
For St Gabriel’s captain Ciaran Seth Emmanuel, the loss was due to their poor start.
He said: “You simply cannot make such mistakes against Victoria. We fell short of our expectations, but we gave our all.”
However, the 16-year-old was pleased about his team’s run to the final, adding: “If you told me we would make the final at the start of the season, I would not have believed you. Throughout the season, the team got a lot better. I am proud of how far we have developed.”
There was also joy on Wednesday for St Hilda’s Secondary School as they prevailed 9-6 over Tanjong Katong Secondary School to clinch their first B Division girls’ title.
It was St Hilda’s first final appearance since the team were formed in 2016.
Captain Poh Jing Ting, 16, said: “It feels unreal. I’m really proud of my team. Everyone has been supportive and encouraging.”
Nur Yuanna Insyirah, who is also a member of the national Under-19 squad, starred with five goals and one assist in the win.
Said the 16-year-old: “This was very unexpected. We just wanted to do our best today, and it was outstanding.”
