Team Singapore powers to 3rd place in IDF National Team event 2013!

Team Singapore had arrived home after a successful outing at the International Darts Federation (IDF) World Championship 2013 in Shanghai, China recently. Represented by Harith Lim, Kristine Lim, Yinn Cheng, Paul Lim, Pau Jin Kuang and Tony Teo, the team performed much better than last year, reaching a new peak of Joint 3rd place. Read about our previous chat with the team members during their preparation.

1. Team Singapore in IDF 2013, Shanghai

This year's World Championship attracted more than 400 dart players from around the world as well as the host country, China. The hall at Shanghai East Asia Exhibition Hall was huge and there were many many boards available. The event was played over 4 days, Aug 22-25 culminating with THE WORLD Stage 5 on the last day. The champion of The World was The Gunner, Lourence Illagan, while our own Paul Lim narrowly missed the chance, coming in as the runners up.

2. Paul Lim giving a pep talk to the team

In the IDF Team event, Singapore was pitted in Group D with powerhouse Team USA and Team UK, along with our regional neighbours, Team Malaysia and Team Thailand.

3. Team Singapore with Team Malaysia

In the first Round Robin game, Team Singapore beat Team Malaysia 9 - 4. The quartet of Paul Lim, Harith, Tony Teo and Kristine was put to task straight away with the first hurdle against our neighbour. Kristine showed that she was no rookie as she held her nerves grabbing a couple of crucial points for a sweet victory.

Thailand was next as Captain Paul Lim led the Spore Lions to 5-3 only for the stubborn Thais to level the game to 6 games all! The final gallon game (4-some) was running neck-to-neck with the Thais grabbing the lead n sitting at what seems to be a formality balance of 22. Captain Paul Lim’s bull balance would have been useless if not for Tony Teo, whose only option was to freeze the Thais. And that he did with a last dart at triple 19 to allow Captain Paul to a 2 darts finish ( single 18 then double 16 ) for a rousing victory ! Team Singapore wins 7 -  6 against Team Thailand!

On the next day of the Team Event, with Dartslive Official and seasoned campaigner Harith Lim down and out with fever, team reserve Pau Jin Kuang was put on the ‘oche’ for the first time. Team USA, with The World 2012 Champion, Scott Kirchner was too much to handle as Team S’pore bowed out gracefully but not after securing 3 vital points ! Team Singapore loses 3 - 10 to the Americans.

Next up, was the British Team. A short pep talk by Captain Paul Lim was all that was needed as Team Singapore faced a British Team made up of 2 PDC players in Tony Martin and Mark Webster. They shot great. However, the freeze rule in the 01’s did not really complement the lads as Singapore took an early 2-0 lead. Then, belief sets in as we raced ahead to 6-2 when doubles pair of Tony / Kristine, Paul / Jin Kuang both won in the fourth round of cricket. Paul and Tony held the next 2 points before the four combined to complete a sensational victory in the final 701 gallon with a final score of 9-4. And so with 3 wins in the Round Robin, a beaming Team Singapore marched through to the next stage - the Knock Out rounds.

4. Team Singapore with Team Britain

5. IDF 2013 Team event - Round robin scores

In the first Single Knockout game, Team Singapore was faced with Team Mongolia. The game format was race to 7 legs. In the earlier events, the Mongolian players were performing exceptionally well especially the Ladies,  who grabbed second spots both in the singles and doubles finals ! However, that was not to be with Paul Lim at the helm of Team Singapore. Our boys and girls played well to wrap up the game with a quick and decisive 7-0 victory to proceed into the Quarter finals round!

A sense of achievement and confidence filled the air as Team Singapore warmed up for the first time in IDF history for a spot in the top 4 knowing the Koreans were just as determined. There was no letting up now and the game started one all, then two all. Paul and Harith went one gear up and Singapore soon led 4-2 ! It was Paul Lim again for the next point in the cricket. At 5-3, history was in the making with the doubles pair Tony / Harith , Paul / Kristine sealing the result which will be remembered for a long long time ! Team Singapore beats Team Korea 7-3 to gain a spot in the Top 4 teams, its best ranking spot in IDF history!

6. Team Singapore with Team Korea

In the semi-finals, an opportunity to level the first game went astray when Captain Paul Lim narrowly missed the double 18 for a 156 finish. Very quickly, the team went down 4-0 after that. Although, we made a gallant effort to hold the next 2 points and took another 2 from the 5th game cricket to trail 4-6, there was no stopping the reliable Filipino number 1 player, Lourence Illagan, as he finished with a black bull, to put an end to what would have been a marvelous run by the Singapore Team !  Semi finals results : Team Singapore 4 – Philippines 7.

For the record, Team Philippines went on to beat Team USA in the final to win the IDF Team Event. Congratulations to all players of the Team Singapore 2013! This was the best achievement for the team in the IDF events. We are all proud of you guys!

7. Team Singapore with Team Philippines

Related story : Team Singapore prepares for IDF 2013
Content contributed by Roger Liu

Pictures 1,5 are Copyright © International Dart Federation & DARTSLIVE