THE Singapore men's water polo team ended runners-up in the six-team Asian Cup on Saturday, after losing 6-10 to Iran at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex.

The home side, ranked 24th in the world, sixth in Asia and top in South-east Asia, kept pace with their 21st-ranked opponents at 2-2 after the first quarter and actually led 4-3 at half-time. But they ran out of steam - going down 1-4 and 1-3 in the final two quarters.

Eugene Teo scored two goals, while Paul Tan, Chiam Kun Yang, Samuel Yu and Koh Jian Ying had one each. Mohammadsaeid Seyed Mir Mehdi scored three for Iran.

Singapore had earlier beaten world No.19 side Kuwait 8-4, a Chinese youth team 8-0, the Philippines 22-2 and Sri Lanka 26-5.

Their final position is the highest at a regional event since third place in the Asian Games in Seoul in 1986.

Singapore's women's team are likely to finish second as well. They play Sri Lanka later on Saturday night in the final match of the tournament.