SINGAPORE thrashed the Philippines 33-0 at the 3rd Asian Youth Water Polo Championships on Friday, to qualify for the quarter-finals as the third-placed team from Group A.

They will start as underdogs against Group B runners-up China in their clash at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex on Saturday at 11.20am.

Captain Valampurithavan Thamilarasan, 17, said of their opponents: "They are very fast and big, and have a lot of experience. This is the same team playing in the Asian Water Polo Cup next week with the senior teams, so we have to make sure that we cut down on our mistakes and maximise all opportunities."

Elsewhere, Group A winners Iran play Group B's fourth-placed side Indonesia, Kazakhstan tackle Kuwait, while Group B winners Japan take on Sri Lanka.

In the girls' section, all seven teams enter the quarter-finals with Kazakhstan getting a bye. Singapore, bottom of Group A after losing 2-22 to the Central Asian side on Friday, will play Group B winners China at 5.10pm.

Joanna Chue, 17, goalkeeper for Singapore, said: "It was tough playing Kazakhstan, one of the strongest teams in the tournament, today and it is a real eye-opener. We pushed ourselves to take them on, putting in a lot of effort defending and I think we did pretty well to maintain the scoreline, especially in the third quarter.

"We face China tomorrow, who are the team to beat in this tournament. We are keeping optimistic as we have nothing to lose but lots to gain in experience."