India denied Malaysia in the playoff for seventh spot at the FINA Water Polo Challengers’ Cup men’s tournament at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.
A much stronger finish helped the Indians to a 13-8 win the playoff and the bragging rights i the match between two teams making their debut at the tournament.
In a closely fought first quarter, both team traded blows with India edging ahead 5-4.
But India, spearheaded by Kunde Ashwinikumar stretched the lead to three points in the second quarter. Ashwinikumar, who finished the tournament with 17 goals, was the dangerman fro the Indians as he continued his goal scoring spree.
Malaysia relied heavily on Toh Xiang Yi. He scored four of the team’s first six goals. Malaysia put on a gritty display in the third quarter to come within two goals at the end of the third quarter.
But the Indians superior fitness saw them going from 9-7 at the end of the third quarter, to finish the game at 13-8.
Classification 7-8, MALAYSIA 8 INDIA 13
Quarters: 4-5, 0-2, 3-2, 1-4
Referees: Richard Dilapdilap (PHI), Christopher Davison (ZIM).
Extra man: MAS: 2/2. IND: 0/1.
Penalties: MAS: 1/1. IND: 1/2.
Teams:
MALAYSIA: Huan Chee, Yi Tan (2), Bryan Wong, Yi Xiang Toh (4), Joanah Boonchuay, Yi Hang Toh (1), Irshad Mohd, Tzw Khieu (1), Jesaiah Abraham, Zhao Heong, Vivekanandan Sharvin, Wenhang Lai, Xu Lee. Head Coach: Yong Voon.
INDIA: Babu Aneesh, Kunde Ashwinikumar (3), Dharumarasu Manimaran, Sasi Aneeshkumar (1), Sisupalan Shibinlal, Yadav Vishal, Varghese Sibin (2), Gireesh Anathu (2), Uttekar Uday (2), Kadukkattil Rahul, Gopinathan Praveen (2), Vaidya Shreyas (1), Surendran Jithu. Head Coach: Ajitsingh Shobhawhat.
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