Singapore women's hockey team overcame stomach flu to win maiden AHF Cup

Straits Times

29-04-2025

SINGAPORE – A bout of stomach flu had threatened to derail the Singapore women's hockey team during their AHF Cup campaign from April 18-27 in Jakarta.
But they overcame the odds to clinch the title for the first time at the Bung Karno Sports Complex on April 27, beating Chinese Taipei 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time in the final. The win also earned them qualification for the Women's Hockey Asia Cup later this year.
Singapore had to dig deep in the final as they went behind with nine minutes to go.
Coach Henry Wong then took a gamble by bringing on an outfielder for the goalkeeper and the move paid off as the Singaporeans equalised two minutes from time to force the shoot-out.
The title capped a dramatic week for the team, with five players struck by a stomach bug just after their group stage match against Chinese Taipei – which they lost 4-2. Two of those stricken also had to receive intravenous drips at the hospital.
Co-captain Valerie Sim, who was one of those who caught the bug, said: 'It was quite tough, I got a fever after the Chinese Taipei game because I think I pushed (myself) and played my best… But the whole team supported us and we managed to pull through.'
The 24-year-old added: 'Winning the AHF Cup meant a lot to all of us because we made history and it's been a long time coming… It's been a while since we've seen gold.
'It's not just an achievement, but it's a reflection of everything our team has worked for. And to us, it feels like the start of something bigger, qualifying for the Asia Cup, and also knowing that we've got SEA Games coming at the end of this year.
'Both these tournaments give us the opportunity to challenge ourselves against some of the best teams in the world.'
Wong said the belief and confidence from winning the AHF Cup can spur the team to aim for a top-six finish at the Asia Cup.
The 40-year-old coach said: 'It hasn't fully sunk in what it means to this playing group and to the hockey community, but it's a really big step for us to go where we want to go. And I think the biggest thing for me is to instil self-confidence and belief in the players.
'A goal for us is to make sure that we come in the top six of (the Asia Cup), because then we don't have to qualify for the next one. And if we're pushing for top six, a top-five finish would put us in place for the World Cup qualifying event.'
Singapore hockey player Ivy Chan challenging for the ball against Chinese Taipei with teammate Valerie Tay looking on.
PHOTO: ASIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION
Singapore's best finish at the continental cup competition was a fourth-place finish during their debut in 1985.
The Asia Cup winners will progress directly to the 2026 World Cup, while the next four teams earn spots in the qualifiers.
Player of the Tournament Dayana Ong, who came up from the youth squad that played in the Women's Junior AHF Cup in 2024, was glad the team overcame the setbacks to emerge as the champions.
'To win (the AHF Cup) is really a huge achievement because the team faced many challenges throughout the week, so I really hope that we can carry on this energy to the Asia Cup.'
The 17-year-old said of her award: 'I never imagined that I could have gotten this award. It was really surreal, because as a junior player, I really think that the team is just playing at a much higher level than I am.
'This is my first major senior tournament and I'm really honoured to receive this.'
Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times.
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