Story by REDintern Ng Enna. Pictures by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports.
NTU’s national player Kelvin Ong scored three goals in the second quarter to give his side a 7-2 lead over SMU. (Photo 1 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
National University of Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex, Tuesday, January 5, 2010 - Nanyang Technological University (NTU) triumphed over Singapore Management University (SMU) 10-7 after an intense opening match in the NUS-Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge.
"It was a hard fight, especially the first half," Lin Yimin (#7), captain of the NTU team, commented, "but we had more experience which helped us win the game."
SMU’s Shaun Phoon (#6) scored the opening goal just after the second minute but national player Lim Yao Xiang (#5) equalised shortly after for NTU. Both teams remained tied until Eduardo (#10) from SMU found an opportunity to claim the lead once again.
NTU were desperate for the equaliser and despite SMU’s attempt to hold them off, NTU’s captain, Lin Yimin (#7), found the back of the net to level the match with less than three minutes remaining to leave both teams tied 2-2 at the end of the first.
NTU upped both their defence and offence in the second quarter, giving SMU no chance to score. NTU went on a scoring spree of five goals in the second quarter to lead 7-2. Three of these goals were courtesy of Kelvin Ong (#9), who was also a member of the national team that recently won the water polo title in the 25th South East Asian (SEA) Games.
NTU scored three goals within the first seven minutes of the third quarter but were matched this time by three SMU goals from Andy (#6) with two and Darras (#13) contributing one.
Trailing 5-10, SMU gave NTU a scare in the fourth quarter, as they scored two unanswered goals. However, SMU could not overturn the five-goal deficit from the third and bowed out 7-10.
"It was very encouraging to win. But we also have to continue working on our passes and make lesser mistakes," said Lin Yimin, NTU’s captain.
Following this match, NTU beat Singapore Polytechnic 10-3 while SMU and Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) played out an 8-8 draw.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
NTU vs SMU
1st Q: 2-2
2nd Q: 5-0
3rd Q: 3-3
4th Q: 0-2
Final score: 10-7
Eduardo of SMU attempts to find a way past NTU’s defense. Solid defending was key for NTU as they prevented SMU players from taking any easy shots… (Photo 2 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
… and when the defence failed, there was always NTU’s trusty goal keeper who made a few good saves. (Photo 3 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
SMU’s Eduardo being closely watched by his opponent. His only goal of the match came in the first quarter. (Photo 4 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
An NTU player sends a shot towards goal. (Photo 5 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Liu Xing Hui looks for a way past NTU’s defence. He failed to find the back of the net throughout the match. (Photo 6 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
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