SEA Games 2023: Singapore crush Malaysia 14-1 in men’s water polo

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Singapore's water polo team (blue caps) in action against Malaysia at the Cambodia SEA Games.

Singapore's water polo team (in blue caps) in action against Malaysia at the Cambodia SEA Games.

PHOTO: SNOC

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PHNOM PENH – Singapore continued to steam ahead in their quest to wrest back the SEA Games water polo gold as they beat Malaysia 14-1 at the National Olympic Stadium Swimming Centre pool on Saturday.

The Republic took a 4-1 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, scoring another 10 without reply. Cayden Loh led with three goals, and there was a good spread of scorers with Paul Tan, Chiam Kun Yang, Lee Cheng Kang, Yip Yang grabbing a brace and Loh Zhi Zhi, Yu Jun Jie and Koh Jian Ying also getting in on the act.

Singapore had a perfect run of 27 consecutive men’s water polo gold medals at the Games until they lost to eventual champions Indonesia and drew with hosts Philippines to finish with a bronze in 2019. The sport was omitted from last year’s edition.

In a Facebook post, the Singapore Swimming Association announced the win over Malaysia and used the hashtag #bringbackgold as well as #revengeforfootball – which was later removed – after the Young Lions suffered a 7-0 loss to their Causeway rivals in the men’s football competition on Thursday.

On Friday, Singapore kicked off their campaign by

beating Thailand 12-7

and will face Indonesia in a crunch match on Sunday, before taking on the Philippines and Cambodia over the following two days.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s women’s water polo team lost 11-4 to Thailand on Friday and will need to beat Indonesia on Sunday to stand a chance of a medal as no bronze is awarded for their three-team event.

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