SEA SWIMMING CHAMP 2012:: INDONESIA – SINGAPORE: 6-7

POLO AIR INDONESIA-Having drawn Thailand, Indonesia has the numerical opportunity to upstage the host on its home turf and clinch the gold medal with a win. However, it turned out that the Singapore has other ideas. The encounter saw a seesaw

of goals from both teams and had the spectators constantly jumping out of

their seats in cheers. Spectacular goals and near misses were the order of the

day and Singapore’s captain; Loh Zhi Zhi emerged as the star of the game as

his hat trick lifted the host to their inaugural SEA Championships Under-23

Water Polo crown.

Goals per quarter

Q1: The host had 3 extra-man situations but couldn’t convert them. They then

let slipped Indonesia’s Zaenal to score a counter attack goal, much to the

disappointment of the spectators, which comprises mainly supporters of the

Singapore team.

Q2: The Singapore team began to up their aggressiveness to match that of

the Indonesian and they started getting into the game. Goals from Zi Yuan,

Wayne and Zhi Zhi gave the host and their supporters much needed goals to

cheer. With half a minute to go, Indonesia’s Manulana scored a spectacular

long-range shot from 10m out to keep the score difference to within one.

Q3: The Indonesian then dictated the rhythm of the game and drew the game

at 4 apiece. With the final second of play, Indonesian big man, Delvin cleverly

flicked the ball past the goalkeeper and grabbed the lead for Indonesia.

Q4: The Singapore team, led by their captain, Loh Zhi Zhi, staged a

comeback. His 2 goals, not only drew level the score and extended the lead, it

also gave his teammates the much needed morale boost and belief that they

could win this game. Indonesia tried to claw back into the game and they

came within one goal. However, with the game clock left with only 6 seconds,

the Singapore team held on to win this epic match.

INDONESIA: 1. Zuliansyah 2. Muhammad Nurdiansyah 3. M Alex

Siswandono 4. Delvin Felliciano (2) 5. Manulana Bayu Herfianto (1) 6. Bebi

Willy Eka Paksi Tarigan 7. Riyan Rinaldo 8. Rezza Auditya Putra 9. Ilfan

Riandi 10. Ridjkie Mulia Harahap (1) 11. Natanael (1) 12. Zaenal Arifin (1)

13. Novian Dwi Putra

SINGAPORE: 1. Lee Kai Yu 2. Loh Zhi Zhi (3) 3. Wayne Chong (1)

4. Yip Yang (1) 5. Adriel Ng 6. Gilbert Beh 7. Chiam Kun Yang 8. Chow Jing

Jie 9. Toh Zhi Hong 10. Ooi Yee Jia 11. Ang Zi Yuan (2) 12. Koh Jian Ying

13. Sean Ang

REFEREES: Zhong Haotian (China), Lin Wenfa (China)

MEN TABLE

1.      Indonesia (3-1-1-1-4)

2.      Singapore (3-3-0-0-9)

3.      Thailand (3-1-1-1-4)

4.      Malaysia (3-0-0-3-0)