Singapore, October 11.— Group A is wide open after fourth-day action of the FINA Water Polo Challengers’ Cup men’s tournament at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
Ireland beat Malaysia 15-7 to remain unbeaten and set up a showdown with Singapore on Saturday for the group decider and direct entry to Sunday’s gold-medal final. Singapore beat Philippines 11-7 after trailling 4-5, to be also unbeaten.
In Group B, Hong Kong upset India 13-10 with Kong Ching Fung netting six goals for the victor. Kunde Ashwinikumar responded with a goal in each quarter for India. Austria laid claim to the group with a toughly fought 11-9 victory over previously unbeaten Indonesia in what virtually the group decider. Goalkeeper Salkan Samardzic was the player of the match, keeping his team in the title hunt. Indonesia has finished its round matches and must now prepare for the bronze-medal encounter while Austria could lose to India on Saturday and still go t o the golden match.
Progress points:
Group A: Singapore 6, Ireland 6, Philippines 4, Malaysia 0, Zimbabwe 0.
Group B: Austria 6, Indonesia 6, Hong Kong 2, India 2, Chinese Taipei 0.
Friday schedule:
Match 13, 15:00, Group B, HONG KONG 17 INDIA 13
Match 14, 16:30, Group A, MALAYSIA 7 IRELAND 15
Match 15, 18:00, Group B, INDONESIA 9 AUSTRIA 11
Match 16, 19:30, Group A, PHILIPPINES 7 SINGAPORE 11
Saturday schedule:
Match 17, 15:00, Group B, HONG KONG CHINESE TAIPEI
Match 18, 16:30, Group A, MALAYSIA ZIMBABWE
Match 19, 18:00, Group B, INDIA AUSTRIA
Match 20, 19:30, Group A, IRELAND SINGAPORE