Courtesy: Singapore Swimming
[SINGAPORE, 24 March 2023] – China and Iran are through to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Asian Water Polo Championships as the only two unbeaten sides in the men’s competition.
The two Asian powerhouses are favourites to make Sunday’s semi-finals at the OCBC Aquatic Centre after topping their respective groups to earn favourable match-ups in tomorrow’s quarter-finals.
China eased past Thailand 22-5 in their Group A match and will meet the Philippines, who finished at the bottom of Group B.
Not to be outdone, Iran – who had already upset reigning Asian Games champions Kazakhstan at this championships – trounced the Philippines 25-5 to top Group B.
Host Singapore finally gave the home fans something to cheer about when its men’s team scored their first win of the campaign, beating Uzbekistan 11–10.
Despite a tense opening half, in which Singapore missed two penalties and Uzbekistan held slender leads, the hosts came roaring back in the final quarter to give Singapore coach Kan Aoyagi and his men a much-needed win.
Said coach Kan: “We lost a very important game yesterday (against Thailand) and were very disappointed. But the players reset and were motivated to win this game. We had a lot of chances, but also missed many chances. But in the end, it was good to get the win.”
The victory may have meant that Singapore avoided Group B winners Iran. But in Kazakhstan, they will face one of the world’s top water polo nations.
Said Kan: “We have hopes of being a top-three water polo team in Asia, so this match against Kazakhstan is a good test. We will put to practise what we have been doing and try our best and give a good account of ourselves.”
In the other men’s match today, Kazakhstan beat Hong Kong 22-7.
In the women’s matches, Kazakhstan beat Uzbekistan 11-9 to ensure their perfect record in the tournament. The win also puts them in pole position to win gold in the double round-robin format.
Hosts Singapore are still without a victory after losing 6-8 to Thailand.
Despite finishing the first round of the round-robin matches winless, national women’s coach Luo Nan said that there are several positives for the team to build on as they begin the second round.
Apart from the opening 7-12 loss to Kazakhstan, Singapore fell to Uzbekistan by the odd goal and gave the Thais a good fight.
Said Luo: “We have proven that we are not far off the standards of the other teams. However, our control over the last part of the game still needs improving.”
The eight men and four women teams are competing to qualify for May’s World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup – Division 2 Qualifier in Berlin. Only the top four men’s and top two women’s teams will make the cut.
Please find the event photos and media release in the Google Drive link here.
Tickets for the event range from $10 to $20. A bundle of four matches for the day is going at a discounted price of $30 per person. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/waterpolo0323.
TOMORROW’S MATCHES
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TODAY’S RESULTS |
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Women’s |
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Uzbekistan vs Kazakhstan |
Thailand vs Singapore |
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Score: 9 – 11 |
Score: 8 – 6 |
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Player of the Match: |
Player of the Match: |
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Tsoy Anastassiya (Kazakhstan) |
Raksina Rueangsappaisan (Thailand) |
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