Day 6: Singapore stuns Austria for Challengers' Cup gold medal
Singapore, October 13.— Singapore was crowned champion on the final day of the FINA Water Polo Challengers’ Cup men’s tournament at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
Singapore stunned Austria 8-5 after a 3-0 opening quarter, something Austria never recovered from. Austria's big guns were left dormant as Singapore raced all around the pool and took the shots that counted.
Champion team Singapore.
Singapore's breakthrough at this event comes after losing the 2009 final to Kuwait. Austria collected the last two bronze medals — 2015 and 2017 — and will at least go home with silver, although head coach Barnabas Steinmetz, the 2000 and 2004 Olympic champion from Hungary, will be rubbing his head in despair at how the match panned out.
“This means a lot to me and team. The final was a difficult game, but the boys kept motivating themselves to push on even though they were quite tired after the tough game against Ireland yesterday. It was fantastic that from beginning till the end, they kept their discipline and concentration which showed that this team can achieve even greater things in the future”, said a delighted Dejan Milakovic, Singapore’s head coach.
There was more joy in the Singapore camp, with goalkeeper Kai Yang Lee named player of the match in the final, while Jun An was named the Most Valuable Player of the competition. Kang Cheng finished as Singapore’s top scorer in the competition, with 21 goals.
“Winning the Most Valuable Player award of the tournament is not just for myself, but it could not have happened without my team-mates. I think what this award really shows is the amount of hard work that we put into training every day. What is most important is that we got the win, we got the gold medal and we are ready for the upcoming SEA Games,” An said.
Ireland and Indonesia fought hard for the bronze, but with the tournament's undoubted star, Ridjkie Mulia, converting four penalties en route to six goals and a staggering 37 from five matches, Indonesia crossed the line. Ireland was debuting in Singapore and Indonesia was sixth in 2015 and eighth in 2009.
In the battle for fifth place, Philippines, inspired by Mark Valdez and Vincent Serrano, blazed their way to a 13-8 margin over Hong Kong, whose Gilman Choi was up to the challenge with four of his own.
In the minor classifications, India secured seventh spot with a 13-8 victory over Malaysia and Zimbabwe had a field day, beating Chinese Taipei 30-3 for ninth position.
Silver medallist Austria with TWPC Vice-Chairman Mark Koganov (AZE).
Bronze medallist Indonesia with TWPC Honorary Secretary Wim Keman (CUR).
Final positions:
1. Singapore
2. Austria
3. Indonesia
4. Ireland
5. Philippines
6. Hong Kong
7. India
8. Malaysia
9. Zimbabwe
10. Chinese Taipei
Awards:
Most Valuable Player:
An Jun Ang (SGP) with TWPC Member Milivoj Bebic (CRO)
Most Valuable Goalkeeper:
Salkan Samardzic (AUT) with TWPC member Takeshi Inoue (USA)
Highest goal-scorer:
Ridjkie Mulia — 37 goals — TWPC Member Don Cameron (AUS)
Sunday schedule:
Match 21, 10:00, Classification 9-10, ZIMBABWE 30 CHINESE TAIPEI 3
Match 22, 11:30, Classification 7-8, MALAYSIA 8 INDIA 13
Match 23, 15:00, Classification 5-6, PHILIPPINES 13 HONG KONG 8
Match 24, 16:30, Classification 3-4, IRELAND 9 INDONESIA 14
Match 25, 16:30, Classification 1-2, SINGAPORE 8 AUSTRIA 5
All photos: Thanks to Colin Ong/SSA.
Match reports
Match 21, 10:00, Classification 9-10, ZIMBABWE 30 CHINESE TAIPEI 3
Quarters: 6-0, 7-1, 8-1, 9-1
Referees: Sergey Naumov (RUS), Chee Wee (MAS).
Extra man: ZIM: 0/0. TPE: 0/4.
Penalties: ZIM: 0/1.
Teams:
ZIMBABWE: Dylan Woodhouse, Alexander Zwart (1), Giovanni Fargnoli (4), Conor King (2), Johannes Kloppers (5), Bradley Crause (1), Brendon Werrett (2), Justin Buchanan (5), Bruce Botton (3), Rhyder Quinlan (3), Craig Bydawell (4), Luke Lister. Head Coach: Tyron Jardine.
CHINESE TAIPEI: Li-Ting Huang, Jeng Wu, Hao Lin, Yu-Tang Lin, Yu Lu (3), Yen-Yang Chen, Ting Chou, To Fang, Ming-Han Huang, Ting-Yu Lin. Head Coach: Shih-Ching Lin.
Zimbabwe romped to its first victory of the tournament and well-deservedly done with speed, counters, unselfish passing and agility. The youthful Chinese Taipei had no answer and restricted its scoring to a long lob, a long-range backhander and a “normal” shot from deep left, all from leading shooter Lu Yu. Zimbabwe’s best was Giovanni Fargnoli with his second four-goal haul of the week.
Match 22, 11:30, Classification 7-8, MALAYSIA 8 INDIA 13
Quarters: 4-5, 0-2, 3-2, 1-4
Referees: Richard Dilapdilap (PHI), Christopher Davison (ZIM).
Extra man: MAS: 2/2. IND: 0/1.
Penalties: MAS: 1/1. IND: 1/2.
Teams:
MALAYSIA: Huan Chee, Yi Tan (2), Bryan Wong, Yi Xiang Toh (4), Joanah Boonchuay, Yi Hang Toh (1), Irshad Mohd, Tzw Khieu (1), Jesaiah Abraham, Zhao Heong, Vivekanandan Sharvin, Wenhang Lai, Xu Lee. Head Coach: Yong Voon.
INDIA: Babu Aneesh, Kunde Ashwinikumar (3), Dharumarasu Manimaran, Sasi Aneeshkumar (1), Sisupalan Shibinlal, Yadav Vishal, Varghese Sibin (2), Gireesh Anathu (2), Uttekar Uday (2), Kadukkattil Rahul, Gopinathan Praveen (2), Vaidya Shreyas (1), Surendran Jithu. Head Coach: Ajitsingh Shobhawhat.
India came through in a thrilling encounter in which Malaysia had the early lead before India slipped out to 5-3, which became 5-4 at the first break. An Indian double, including a beautiful drop-in pass to the driving Kunde Ashwinikumar, made it a three-goal advantage at the change-over. Ashwinikumar took his team to 8-4 at the top of the third and, even though Malaysia came back to 8-7, India had the fitness and strength to win in style. The brilliant Ashwinikumar closed the match with a driving lob for his 17th goal of the tournament, the best of his team. For Malaysia, Yi Xiang Toh netted four of his team’s first six, listing him as 16 for the week. For both teams it was a debut in the event and a portent of what is to come as Asian water polo flourishes. One slip-up during the match was the expulsion with a red card for Varghese Sibin, one of the better performers of the week. He had scored two goals and was ejected for violence. He left the pool deck holding his hand in some pain. He was replaced so it was not bad enough to gain a brutality charge.
Match 23, 15:00, Classification 5-6, PHILIPPINES 13 HONG KONG 8
Quarters: 4-2, 3-1, 5-4, 1-1
Referees: Kum Weng Lau (SGP), Stephen O’Brien (IRE).
Extra man: PHI: 2/4. HKG: 2/13.
Penalties: PHI: 1/1. HKG: 2/2.
Teams:
PHILIPPINES: Tani Gomez, Matthew Royce, Macgyver Reyes, Mark Valdez (5), Mico Anota, Vincent Sicat (1), Reynaldo Salonga (1), Teordoro Canete, Romark Belo, Adam Gonzales (1), Muammar Alamara (1), Juan Serrano (4), Abnel Amiladjid. Head Coach: Dale Evangelisa.
HONG KONG: Cheuk Kong, Wang Yiu, Kong Chun Fung (1), Kong Ching Fung (2), Chun Ip, Hok Lau, Ho Ko, Cheuk Cheung, Ting Wong, Gilman Choi (4), Siu Cheng, Hei Cheng (1), Si Wong. Head Coach: Jinwen Zhao.
Philippines claimed fifth place in a competition it has played in once before — finishing fourth in 2009. Philippines, who will be hosting the all-important regional SEA Games in December, played its best water polo of the week and is heading in the right direction for a tilt at SEA glory. Hong Kong was held together by the best glue possible — Gilman Choi — and his two penalty goals, a fantastic six-metre effort and a blast from the right lifted Hong Kong from 7-2 down late in the second quarter to 10-6 two minutes from three-quarter time. However, Philippines had Mark Valdez and Juan Serrano, who had their eyes firmly set on goal. Serrano nailed two excellent centre-forward goals with one a turning flick. Valdez scored the equalising second goal and then put away four balls from 6-2 until 9-4. His ability to change targets with each shot is unerring. Hei Cheng brought Hong Kong to 10-7 before Vincent Sicat from the penalty line and Serrano with his flick closing the third period at 12-7. It was a tight final period as the score shows and testament to what international competition can bring these nations on the world stage.
Match 24, 16:30, Classification 3-4, IRELAND 9 INDONESIA 14
Quarters: 3-4, 1-4, 3-4, 2-2
Referees: Joe Peila (USA), Paul Kovac (AUT).
Extra man: IRE: 0/6. INA: 3/5.
Penalties: IRE: 1/1. INA: 4/4.
Teams:
IRELAND: Eoin Doyle, Mark Moran (1), Stevie Nolan, Cillian Colvin, Mathew Hanna, Adam Caulfield, Stiofan McMahon (2), Jonathan Donnelly, Eoin Bridgmont (2), Eoin Nolan (3), Adrian Hanna (1), Ciaran Walshe, Shane O’Brien. Head Coach: Goran Sablic.
INDONESIA: Madb Arsana, Beby Tarigan, Muhammad Firdaus, Silvester Goldberg (1), Fakri Mahmud, Andi Uwayzulqarni (1), Yusif Budiman (3), Rezza Putra (2), Delvin Feliciano (1), Ridjkie Mulia (6), Rian Rinaldo, Zaenal Arifin, Niovian Dwiputra. Head Coach: Milos Sakovic.
Indonesia has been the more consistent team all week and despite Ireland’s persistence, the result was never in doubt. With Ridjkie Mulia tormenting Ireland, especially at the penalty line where he converted four, Ireland did not have the answers. Mulia has been exceptional in Singapore and will provide more impetus to the team ahead of the SEA Games in December. Mulia aside, Ireland was in the match for three periods, but the second quarter let it down with only Eoin Nolan’s centre-forward goal providing any respite. Yusif Budiman provided two delightful and identical turning centre-forward goals; Rezza Putra scored twice, once on extra and the last goal of the match on a short drive down the right. The inability of teams to limit Mulia says a lot for the player, even though in this match he was restricted to a score on extra-man attack and one cross cage out in the “real world”. His 37 goals were about double what any other player managed at the tournament. All kudos to Indonesia for an all-round effort and to Ireland for lifting at the medal stage. For Ireland, Nolan, Stiofan McMahon and Eoin Bridgmont were real threats. Captain Jonathan Donnelly blotted his copybook when he was excluded with a red card at 2:40 in the third period. Indonesia was sixth in 2015 when it was staged in Tehran, Iran, so bronze this time around was an excellent reward.
Match 25, 16:30, Classification 1-2, SINGAPORE 8 AUSTRIA 5
Quarters: 3-0, 3-2, 1-1, 1-2
Referees: Sergey Naumov (RUS), Sanket Shinde (IND).
Extra man: SGP: 3/11. AUT: 2/4.
Penalties: SGP: 2/2. AUT: 2/2.
Teams:
SINGAPORE: Darren Lee, An Jun Ang (1), Yee Ooi, Jing Chow, Wayne Chong, Wen Goh, Kun Chang (1), Jayden See, Jun Yu (1), Yee Tang, Cheng-Kang Lee (3), Jian Koh (1), Kai Lee, Darren Ng. Head Coach: Dejan Milakovic.
AUSTRIA: Salkan Samardzic, Tobias Schlappack, Nick Vondrak (2), Bernhard Fridrik, Tobias Lang (1), Eldin Ribic (1), Albert Schimidt, Aleksandar Antovic, Marko Bosnjak (1), Johannes Gratzl, Markus Cech, Florian Lukas, Filip Popic. Head Coach: Barnabas Steinmetz.
Singapore stunned pre-tournament favourite Austria with a blistering start, magnificent defence, superb goalkeeping and all-round shooting. With two players out of the match just after halftime, it was hard for Austria to find balance and any meaningful impetus. Ribic received a red card at 1:21 in the second and Florian Lukas left at the start of the third. Aleksandar Antovic joined the “naughty-boy” pair inside the final minute — three reds when there were only five all tournament. Singapore, spurred on by the huge home crowd, pressed every chance and took the chancy shots that seemed to elude the normally unflappable Salkan Samardzic. The first quarter was a blur as Singapore rattled in three unanswered goals. Samardzic made some telling stops in the second as Austria regained some composure, only for Singapore to increase the margin to four at halftime. Both teams converted a penalty in the third and Marko Bosnjak broke a 10-minute drought from the left with three minutes left on the clock in the final quarter. It seemed too little, too late. It was, when Kai Lee blasted in his third goal with just over two minutes to go and his beaming face was more like a golden glow. Singapore maintained the pressure; Austria pressed and eventually gained a consolation goal through Tobias Lang inside the final minute. Composure, a timeout and a quick shot that failed to score, did not stop the enthusiasm Singapore had for shooting. Singapore took a maiden title and now sets its sights on retaining the SEA Games crown it so fiercely converts, having won it so many times. Two titles in a year would be an amazing statistic. Austria took a step up the podium, winning bronze the last two editions, so losing the final match would have left mixed feelings. Too often this tournament, Austria has promised much, but failed to deliver when needed most.
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