Singapore defeated Papua New Guinea 59-56 in the netball final of the Mirxes Nations Cup at the OCBC Arena on October 28, ending a 16-year title drought. This was Singapore’s third title and first since the 2007 championship. The team also won the inaugural competition in 2006.
The last time Singapore won the title was in 2007, after defeating Trinidad and Tobago 56-32. It is the first country to win the Cup three times, surpassing Sri Lanka and Cook Islands, both of whom are placed higher in the netball world rankings.
Singapore had lost to Papua New Guinea 52-50 in the tournament opener. In the final match, its goal-shooter Amandeep Kaur Chahal converted 44 of 50 goal attempts. The young player was one of four players in the starting line-up aged 24 and under; the other three players are aged 27.
In the opening 15 minutes of the final match, the Papuans ended the quarter with an 18-16 lead. However, the hosts were calm and changed the momentum of the match during a four-minute spell in the second period.
The Singaporeans scored seven points in succession and went into half-time with a 35-26 advantage. After three quarters, the team widened the gap to 48-37. The visitor retaliated, outscoring Singapore 19-11 in the final quarter, but the hosts held on to prevail.
