MAD General Secretary reports on Team Malaysia at the recent World Dodgeball Invitation Queenstown, New Zealand to Kementerian Belia & Sukan Malaysia. We wanted to share our findings with hopes to bring light to other malaysian dodgeballers who are passionate about being the next Dodgeball Malaysia Team in the future World Dodgeball competition. We are the most improved team as mentioned by many international players and WDBF members as compared to the previous World Dodgeball Invitation 2012 held in Dewan Sri Putra, Bukit Jalil. And this sentiment was shared by Brian Li (Hong Kong), Jen Ritchie (Canada), Bill Fair (USA) and Mike Moffat (Canada), all key world dodgeball figures. Ramona (Deputy President) and I are proud of this year’s achievement – 3rd placing for male category and 4th place for female. Our Malaysian team had to overcome the cold weather conditions and the indoor stadium venue was not spared of the still wintery condition. Yet the team braved the elements and went on to achieve what they have come so far for – a podium finish. Game time of 20mins x 2 halves with 2 minute break was the game format used and each country played against all other participating countries. 2 points are given for every match won and head-to-head (match scores) are recorded. There is no draw in every match, therefore teams will play it out as sudden death then 4 minute tie-breaker. The two teams with the 2 highest score will play in the Grand Finals to determine 1st and 2nd placings. Countries participated : USA, CANADA (champion for both category this year), Hong Kong, Australia (1st appearance), New Zealand and Malaysia. 6 countries. There is certainly room for improvement. Let’s begin with the Male category We are tactically good. We are most of the time in control of the game and shown good ability to slower or pick up the pace. But not consistent enough to play against more develop teams such as Canada and USA. 3rd place is already in our mind, a pre-forecast podium win. Must win against New Zealand, Australia would ensure a chance to top 3, which we did and our boys beat Hong Kong which gave us the spirit. FIRST TIME EVER and we break that egg since 2009!!!!! Playing against USA and Canada was the last 2 matches and just 1 win would put us in the finals. We lost both. Canada and USA made it through to the finals and is by far the most exciting World Dodgeball international competition finals EVER!!! Less strategy involved, both teams sort of decided to show brute strength, speed and agility. On average, the speed of the ball during the final was easily 100kmph per hour and most of the time it was thrown behind own attacking line. Such power was also demonstrated with so many “OMG! WAHLIOWYEAH, FUYOH” dodges. Totally unbelievable. In a nut shell for the boys’ team and for other individuals who may want to win the next World Dodgeball Invitation, start going to the gym and work out all those muscles and stay fit. Individually the Canadians and American are more in shape (strength, fitness, endurance) than our boys. Surprisingly, given the age gap. Also need to improve on our players’ mental attitude. As for the Girls Truth be told, we should be NO#1 or maybe 2 comparing with the score results and not 4th place. We lost the crucial match against Hong Kong and earlier with USA. We beat Canada (the champ) with good score line. Girls category is a close fight for many countries. What makes the huge difference is the head-to-head, we had less game wins compared to USA and Canada. In the crucial moment (match against Hong Kong), we needed the win to proceed to finals. Canada knows they are in finals, USA needed a win to the finals. In terms of sport tactics, the girls did extremely well, just like the boys, they are able to spot opponent’s game play and predict the next attempt. What needs to improve is physical attributes on again strength, endurance, agility and most importantly mental discipline. Lack of positive mental attitude from the cold temperature stadium and being pressured from the competition caused our lost to Hong Kong. It was the change of attitude and character of the players at that moment which allow Hong Kong to come from 5 -3 down to 5- 6 in the tie-breaker. In conclusion, tactics and strategies worked out well for us and we are confident teams and players alike are working on ideas and concepts to improve such tactics. However like any other sport, physical fitness and mental discipline is so important that will make the difference between 4th and 1st placing.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 03:12:53 +0000
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