SINGAPORE’s domination in water polo continued today when the men’s team clinched the gold medal at the National Aquatic Centre at Bukit Jalil.
The Singaporeans defeated Malaysia 17-4 in the final round robin match, thus extending their record of winning the gold at the Games since 1965 to 27. Koh Jian Yi scored five goals and Loh Zhi Zhi netted three.
Indonesia, who beat the Philippines 12-5 in an earlier match, also had wins over Thailand (9-3) and Malaysia (4-3). The Indonesians bagged the silver medal while hosts Malaysia took the bronze.
The last time Malaysia won a medal in the sport was a bronze in the 2005 Manila Games.
Singapore’s Minister of Youth and Sport, Grace Fu, presented the medals to the winners.
Malaysian head coach, Voon Yong Hui, said: “For the last two years we have been training very hard with several strategies. Of the 11 players in the team nine are capable of scoring.”
Prior to the match, Singapore won two matches and drew one and had needed to defeat Malaysia by two goals to retain the gold.
They had beaten Thailand (13-2) and the Philippines (7-5) earlier in the week, but were held to a 4-4 draw by Indonesia on Friday.
The round robin format of the competition meant the team at the top of the table wins the gold.
Singapore’s head coach, Dejan Milankovic, said: “The key to our victory today was the team worked hard and got back its momentum and rhythm. We were confident if we maintain our game it will be difficult for Malaysia to make a comeback.”
