SP go down 15-6 to NUS in NUS-GE Water Polo Challenge

Story by REDintern Ng Enna. Pictures by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

National University Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - Singapore Polytechnic (SP) were unable to overcome water polo powerhouses National University of Singapore (NUS) despite a strong start and lost 15-6 in the NUS-Great-Eastern Water Polo Challenge.

NUS drew first blood in the opening minute when Joel Lim (#7) sent the ball into the back of the net, and his team mates Ben Cai (#10) and Andre Teo (#3) followed suit with one goal each in the next two minutes for an early 3-0 NUS lead.

Desmond Tan (#4) finally found the chance to score the first goal for SP at the 3:31 mark. Ngo Kang Chun (#12) attempted a second goal for SP after receiving the ball from Shi Hong (#6), but the ball bounced off the goal post.

However, SP managed to find their second through Kang Chun before Desmond scored SP’s third goal to ensure both teams ended the first quarter tied at 3-3.

"It felt awesome being able to tie with NUS in the first quarter. Both teams played well and I am very proud of my team," said SP's captain, Russell Chan(#2).

NUS registered two goals within two minutes of restart for a 5-3 lead before SP replied with Daniel Toong (#10) hammering the ball into the net despite having two defenders in close attention.

NUS’ Marcus Goh (#9) then scored another goal a minute later after he jumped to catch the ball in mid-air and sent it straight into the back of the net. Determined to widen the lead, NUS scored three more goals in quick succession and Kenneth Foo ended the first half with an extra man goal, giving NUS a 10-4 lead at half time.

The third quarter proved to be less intense with NUS scoring only after three minutes for an 11-4 lead. Daniel tried to contribute another goal to SP’s tally but NUS’ goalkeeper, Ken Chou, deflected the ball out. Undeterred, Daniel tried again from further away and finally sent the ball into the back of the net with a long-range shot.

With his team trailing by seven, Russell scored the final goal for SP slightly before the four-minute mark, but their team could only watch as NUS scored three more goals to take the game with a 15-6 scoreline.

"Both sides played very well, especially SP. They held us down 3-3 in the first quarter and their goalkeeper made many good saves. It showed that they are also a force to be reckoned with. But towards the end, we had more substitutions, which wore them out," commented NUS captain Bryon Teo (#8).

Russell felt that SP, which was the only polytechnic in Group B, could ‘definitely’ have done better if they were placed in the same group as the other polytechnics.

Quarter by Quarter Scores
NUS vs SP
1st Q: 3-3
2nd Q: 7-1
3rd Q: 2-1
4th Q: 3-1
Final score: 15-7