B Division Water Polo: ACS(I) retain title with 8-4 victory over ACS(BR)

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim and Marvin Lowe/Red Sports

CCAB, Thursday, March 31, 2011 — Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) survived a late charge by Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) to successfully defend their B Division Water Polo Championship title with an 8-4 victory in the final.

ACS(I) accumulated a 6-0 lead by half time and it looked like they would cruise to victory. However, ACS(BR) turned up their defense and scored three goals in the last quarter to make it a nervous end for ACS(I).

But the defending champions hung on for the title.

“It feels great to have defended the title this year,” said ACS(I) captain Ooi Yee Jiu. “Perseverance and hard work were to key victory today and I think we played better today than we normally do. We’ve made history by retaining the title and beating our opponents convincingly.”

ACS(BR), who won the title from 2007 to 2009, made the first shot of the match through Guo Kai (#6) who forced a save from ACS(I)’s keeper. However, on the next attack, ACS(I) took the lead. Hitting their opponents on the counter, Sean Koh (#6) broke through the defense to score from the right at the one and a half minute mark.

Less than a minute later, captain Ooi Yee Jiu (ACS(I) #10) double the lead. Max Teow (ACS(BR) #4) was called for a major foul and ACS(I) worked the 6-on-5 opportunity well to make it 2-0.

ACS(BR) tried desperately to trim the ACS(I) lead and came close on couple of occasions. Basil Lee (#2), Max Teow (#4) and Guo Kai (#6) all hit the woodwork but were not able to find the net.

Just before the end of the first period, Bryan Ong (ACS(I) #7) made it 3-0 with a shot from distance.

Much of the same followed in the second quarter as ACS(I) grabbed another three goals to double their advantage at 6-0. Captain Ooi Yee Jiu (#10) got his second of the afternoon while Sean Ang (#12) and Daryl Ho (#8) also got on the score sheet.

ACS(BR) continued to struggle against ACS(I)’s aggressive defense, especially on the 6-on-5. ACS(I) would quickly close down whoever had the ball and force them into making mistakes or bad shots.

It was not until the third quarter that ACS(BR) found the breakthrough with Clifton Sim (#7) getting his name on the score sheet through a penalty.

ACS(I) restored their six-goal cushion nine seconds before the end of the third period through Bryan Ong who sneaked it past the keeper’s left.

With a 7-1 lead heading into the final quarter, it looked like ACS(I) would ease to victory. However, ACS(BR) took the game to their opponents and managed to outscore them 3-1 in the quarter. Marx Teow grabbed two goals while Basil Lee got the other.

With the lead down to four goals and with 2 minutes 16 seconds left on the clock, ACS(BR) pushed for an unlikely upset but ACS(I) hung on for the title.

“Our aggressive defense was our secret tactic,” said a pleased Ooi Yee Jiu of ACS(I). “Whenever they had the ball on a 6-on-5 chance, we would close them down very quickly. ACS(BR) played well today and were good opponents, but we just got the better of them.”

“ACS(I) are a very strong team,” analysed Yu Lei, coach of ACS(BR). “Our defense was a bit weak and that was the reason why we lost. It could definitely have been a different game if we took our chances in the first half.”

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