NUS top Group B after defeating NTU in the NUS-GE Water Polo Challenge

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

National University of Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex, Thursday, January 12, 2010 – National University of Singapore (NUS) sealed their spot as Group B winners with a 9-6 victory over rivals Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in the NUS-Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge.

Although falling to an early deficit, NTU were always challenging the defending champions. They threatened NUS' lead throughout the match and NUS were never in a comfortable position.

After just 30 seconds, NUS took the lead through national player Lin Diyan but the early goal was quickly cancelled out just 35 seconds later by national teammate Lim Yao Xiang's equalising goal for NTU.

NTU had a great chance to take the lead with a shot that was well saved by NUS' goal keeper before Mark Zhang's long-ranged effort punished NTU as NUS took a 2-1 lead at 3:48. NTU found it hard to find the right penetrating pass to unlock NUS' defense as NTU's Ong Yong Roy's attempt at an equaliser found the goal keeper's arms.

NUS, in contrast, had no difficulty finding a way through NTU's backline with captain Bryon Teo extending his team's lead to 3-1 through an extra-man goal.

NUS almost took a larger lead into the second quarter but Lin Diyang was denied by the goal keeper.

The second quarter started with NUS' Marcus Goh scoring a penalty to make the score 4-1 after Cher Kun, who committed an exclusion foul at the end of the first quarter, failed to stay within the exclusion box to start the second quarter.

However, NTU were quick to respond. Kelvin Ong reduced the deficit to just two goals when he tucked his shot into the corner of the net. It was a much more balanced game after that as both teams matched each other in all departments.

Towards the end of the quarter, NTU broke the scoring duck when Lim Yao Xiang got his second goal of the evening to make it 3-4. Dale Lai almost levelled the game during the last minute, but his shot cannoned off the bar as the quarter ended 4-3 to NUS.

Once again, NUS started on a positive note in the third quarter. A shot was saved by NTU's goal keeper, but Lin Diyan was on hand to tap in the rebound, establishing a two goal-cushion for his side at 5-3.

Both sides rained shots down their opponents’ goals but time and time again, the goal keepers put up quality stops to maintain the score line. It took a slip in concentration for NUS to extend their lead to 6-3 with Andre Teo hitting NTU on the counter attack.

NTU would have to count themselves unfortunate after their shots found the bar instead of the back of the net in the closing moments of the quarter as it ended 6-3 in favour of NUS.

In the final quarter, NUS scored a quick goal through Mark Zhang's powerful shot from the left side of the pool that looked to have taken a deflection off NTU's goal keeper's face and into the goal. Captain Bryon Teo also got his name on the score sheet for the second time in the match as NUS established an 8-3 lead.

Dale Lai managed to pull one back for NTU but Ben Cai scored the last point for NUS just a minute after with six minutes left in the game to make it 9-4.

Darras Ang scored two goals for NTU in final minutes to make it a nervous ending for NUS but it wasn't enough to make up for the deficit as NUS held on for a 9-6 win.

"It was a close fight and even though we were described as "giants", this match showed that schools like NTU have stepped up their game," reflected NUS captain Bryon Teo.

"It was only towards the end of the match that we managed to pull away. Today was a battle of experience. While both teams have roughly the same number of national players, our plays were built around the whole team instead of a few players."

"They relied greatly on their national players as they were all taking the shots," Bryon added.

He also commented on the upcoming semi-final match against NYP: "It would be a totally different kind of game from today. NYP are a fast team and we will have to adapt to that style of play."