NTU settle for third after 17-6 victory over NYP in NUS-GE Water Polo Challenge

By Yvonne Yap/Red Sports

National University of Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex, Friday, January 22, 2010 – The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) beat Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) 17-6 in the bronze medal playoff to round up their campaign at the NUS-Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge 2010.

Both teams finished in the same positions last year.

NYP got to the ball first in the opening, but failed to crack the NTU defense and had to concede a turnover. They had another chance to score first when NTU’s Desmond Ngiam was ejected from the game, giving them a 6-on-5 advantage. However, they lost possession and gave the chance to NTU.

NTU bided their time and Dale Lai managed to chalk up the first point of the game with 10 seconds left on the shot clock. In response, Mathews Zachary levelled it at 1-1 for NYP by sinking a low shot into the net.

From this point, NTU started to pull away from their opponents. Darras Ang made a shot from far while national player Lim Yaoxiang scored twice to make it 4-1 to NTU at the end of the first quarter.

Just a minute into the second quarter, Dale caught a rebound after a shot by teammate Kelvin Ong hit the crossbar. With time still on their side, Dale, Kelvin and Darras took their time before and Kelvin made his shot count, giving NTU the 5-1 lead. They then continued to keep NYP in their half for Hoe Yiming to score his first for NTU to put his side up 6-1.

NYP came back with one through Leisher Lee, who brought the ball in and scored past four defenders. However, NTU scored twice through Alex Ko and Kelvin for an 8-2 lead at half-time.

NTU continued their scoring streak when Yaoxiang scored after receiving a pass from Dale just 22 seconds into the third quarter. NYP managed to muster one back through Muhammad Khalis in a one-on-one situation but it still left them trailing 3-9.

NTU scored more five times through Yiming and Yaoxiang, with Yaoxiang contributing four of the five goals. Andy Ou scored the fourth goal for NYP seven seconds from time, closing the margin to 14-4 to NTU at the end of the third quarter.

NTU’s Kelvin and Yiming scored their third goals of the match in the first three minutes of the final quarter. NYP replied with two goals through Marcus Teoh and Neo Hong Koon, making it 6-16.

Dominic Heng took a 5m penalty for NYP but it only met the post, missing an opportunity to close the gap. 30 seconds from time, NTU sealed the game after Alex tapped in the pass from Yiming, wrapping the game up 17-6.