SMU crumble while NUS win in Asian Universities Water Polo Championship

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

National University of Singapore, Saturday, July 10, 2010 — The Singapore Management University (SMU) fell to the Peking University Founder Technology College (PUFTC) 13-7 on Day 2 of the 1st Asian Universities Water Polo Championships.

The National University of Singapore (NUS), on the other hand, had a hard time in their Group A match against Universitas Indonesia (UI). They eventually triumphed after a close match after losing the lead on several occasions. A surge in the last period saw them win 16-11.

PUFTC had no problems showing their dominance in the game as it took them just over 30 seconds to score the first goal. They piled on the pressure and scored five more goals with just one minute left in the period. SMU had trouble making their mark with their first credible attack coming only midway of the period. SMU finally managed to score their first goal with just 36 seconds to go in the first after the SMU #9 tapped in a loose ball right in front of the goal post.

The second period saw a better performance by SMU with their goalkeeper pulling off several saves. However, SMU were still having problems putting points on the scoreboard and ended the second period trailing 2-9. SMU worked hard to hold off PUFTC in the second half, and allowed their opponents only one goal in the while scoring three goals of their own.

PUFTC however overcame their scoring drought in the third period and surged ahead to lead 13-6 with just seconds to go. With victory almost certainly secured for PUFTC, SMU managed to end their match with a high. With just two seconds on the clock, a spectacular long range shot by SMU found the back net to end the game 13-7.

NUS had a harder time against UI in the subsequent match. After thrashing the Lahore University of Management Sciences 20-0 the previous day, NUS were all geared up to notch another win. NUS scored their first goal just under one minute 30 seconds into the game. With five minutes left on the clock, UI scored an equaliser to erase NUS’ lead.

With the clock ticking down for the first period, a long range shot by the UI #10 from across the length of the pool found the back of NUS net just as the buzzer sounded with NUS leading 3-2.

The score was neck and neck, and UI turned the tables on NUS as they stole the lead with just two minutes left in the second period. NUS equalised only for UI to lead again with one minute left. However, NUS leveled the score seconds later for the second period to end 6-6.

It continued to be a close match, with NUS leading by two goals at the end of the third period. NUS’ goalkeeper pulled off several saves, blocking a penalty midway in the period. However, he was not as lucky the second time the team conceded a penalty as UI blasted the ball into the net with just over two minutes left.

UI appeared to lose steam in the fourth period as NUS surged ahead. They increased their lead just under 30 seconds into the fourth period, and continued their scoring streak to lead 16-10 with just under two minutes left. Despite UI pulling one back with 20 seconds left, NUS took home victory with a 16-11 win to set up a clash with the Korea National Sport University (KNSU) to determine the leaders of Group A.

KNSU had whitewashed the Lahore University of Management Sciences 24-0 in an earlier game.

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