KUCHING: Swinburne Sarawak women’s futsal team made history at the MASISWA 2024 tournament, claiming their first-ever gold medal after a stunning 3-0 victory over Cyberjaya in the final.
Team coach Nigel Dom Joseph Iran, who led the squad to their momentous win, reflected on the journey, sharing how last year’s loss to Cyberjaya in the final served as motivation.
Despite a 1-0 defeat to the same rivals in their opening match of this year’s tournament, the team stayed focused and determined.
“After losing 0-1 to Cyberjaya, I told the girls that this was just a test for us to understand their gameplay.
“We stayed calm, and I had a conversation with captain Biolyni Bujeng, who was determined we could meet them again in the final,” the coach said.
Swinburne Sarawak bounced back with dominant 3-0 wins over Sidma and MSU, followed by a 1-0 win over TCS in the semi-finals, setting up a rematch with Cyberjaya in the final.
In the final, Biolyni scored a hat-trick, but coach Nigel was quick to credit the entire team for their grit and determination.
“The entire team was amazing, even the players on the bench who supported us every step of the way,” Nigel said on Monday (Nov 11).
A key figure in the futsal team, Serena Chin, earned special praise for her exceptional defensive performance, playing the full match and “defending like it was her life depending on it,” while goalkeeper Amanda Yeo made critical saves throughout the tournament, conceding only one goal.
“I couldn’t have done this without the help of the coaching staff – Mikhael, Azid, Aaron, Emery, and Dzul.
“They were instrumental in training and managing the team.
“But in the final, I was there physically, and watching them lift the trophy made it all worth it,” Nigel added.
For the record, the futsal tournament was held from November 7 until November 8, at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
