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| Ryan Hallder raises both his hands in celebration after scoring the game-winning goal for the Philippines as the Malaysian bench rues getting ousted at the death. Screen capture from YouTube |
BIÑAN—With six seconds left in the game and the Asia Oceania Floorball Confederation Cup quarterfinal between the Philippines and Malaysia tied, 4-all, Coach Fredrik Nybaeck inserted Ryan Hallder in hopes for the host country to win it in regulation.
Hallder indeed delivered, swishing in the go-ahead goal just four seconds later as the Philippines clinched the victory at the Alonte Sports Arena on Wednesday night.
[Related Story: Last-second goal lifts PHI over Malaysia in AOFC Cup QF's]
[Related Story: Last-second goal lifts PHI over Malaysia in AOFC Cup QF's]
The game-winner, according to Nybaeck, was a testament to what Hallder can do inside the court.
"He can shoot. That's for sure," Nybaeck told Dugout Philippines after the game.
Hallder's game-winner actually saved the Philippines' cause after losing a 4-2 lead it built after two periods and blowing two power plays that could have made it easier for the team to score.
But Nybaeck admired his team for regaining composure despite getting "a little bit anxious" when Malaysia forced the deadlock.
"That showed the big morale in the team," the Swedish coach added.
After hurdling past the world number 25 Malaysians, the 35th-ranked Filipinos have 14th-ranked Thailand, the strongest team in the eight-team tournament on paper, next in the semifinals on Thursday night back at the said venue.
Being the top seed in Group A at the conclusion of the group stages on Tuesday, the Thais took the quarterfinal bye and spent their Wednesday night scouting both the Filipinos and the Malaysians.
But Nybaeck is already looking forward to facing the best Asian team in floorball right now.
"It's gonna be a tight game, but it's gonna be fun," Nybaeck continued.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Hallder's game-winner actually saved the Philippines' cause after losing a 4-2 lead it built after two periods and blowing two power plays that could have made it easier for the team to score.
But Nybaeck admired his team for regaining composure despite getting "a little bit anxious" when Malaysia forced the deadlock.
"That showed the big morale in the team," the Swedish coach added.
After hurdling past the world number 25 Malaysians, the 35th-ranked Filipinos have 14th-ranked Thailand, the strongest team in the eight-team tournament on paper, next in the semifinals on Thursday night back at the said venue.
Being the top seed in Group A at the conclusion of the group stages on Tuesday, the Thais took the quarterfinal bye and spent their Wednesday night scouting both the Filipinos and the Malaysians.
But Nybaeck is already looking forward to facing the best Asian team in floorball right now.
"It's gonna be a tight game, but it's gonna be fun," Nybaeck continued.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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