SEA Games: Singapore's 52-year reign as water polo kings ends as Indonesia lift the gold
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SINGAPORE - Singapore relinquished their SEA Games water polo crown even before they got into the pool on Friday (Nov 29), as a combination of results saw Indonesia clinch their first-ever gold medal.
The Indonesians beat Malaysia 14-7 at the New Clark City Aquatic Centre in the Philippines but the title was confirmed as theirs only after the hosts failed to beat Singapore later in the evening.
The Philippines (one win, two draws) eked out a 6-6 draw with Singapore to sit second in the five-team table with four points. They are followed by Singapore (one win, one draw, one loss) with three. A win is worth two points, a draw one.
Indonesia (three wins, one draw) top the table with an insurmountable seven points after completing all four of their games.
Both Singapore and the Philippines play their final game on Sunday. Singapore, who had a 52-year stranglehold on the SEA Games title, could still bag the silver medal if they beat Thailand and the hosts lose to Malaysia.
In a post on social media on Friday, Singapore National Olympic Council president Tan Chuan-Jin urged the nation to be proud of the team and to continue to back them.
He wrote: "Let's keep cheering them on. Especially on social media, it's so easy to criticise and comment. For now, let's be proud of them. They fought the good fight. They never gave up. After the games, they will learn. We will all learn. We will train harder and smarter.
"And despite the tears, the disappointment...it was clear. They will be back. Stronger. Faster. Better.
"#MajulahSingapura #OneTeamSG #SEAGames2019."
Indonesia had placed one hand on the gold on Thursday by inflicting upon Singapore their first-ever loss at the biennial Games with a 7-5 win.
In Friday's game, they made their intent clear from the first whistle, storming ahead in the first quarter to build a 4-0 lead, but Malaysia kept the score close in the second quarter to reduce the deficit.
Malaysia then scored three goals in the third quarter to pile the pressure on Indonesia, but the latter pulled two goals back to go into the final quarter with the score at 9-5.
