2012: Match Report: Water Polo Guys Finals

On the 11^th of April, the Hwa Chong Water Polo team headed down to the CCAB swimming pools for an intense face-off against their archrivals, Raffles Institution. Although our water warriors put in their best effort, as chance and fate would have it, our polo boys lost in the eventual penalty shootout. Let’s take a look at some highlights of the match!

Our Water Polo Warriors in the lineup (with cap number):

1-     Xiong Xing Yu

2-     Ang An Jun

3-   Ernest Aw (Captain)

4-     Earl Chow

5-     Edward Chow

6-     Jarrett Toh

7-     Raynold Tan

8-     Tan Tai Joum

9-     Adriel Ng

10-   Chan Min Gao

11-   Bryan Chan

12-   Bryan Seetow

Game Format

Water polo is similar to most ball games except that it is played in the water. Both teams send 6 field players and 1 goalkeeper into the pool. The game is played in four quarters, each lasting 6 minutes.  At the end of four quarters, if a tie results, an additional two overtime periods of 3 minutes are played. If a tie persists, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout at the 5m line.

And so, with the sound of a siren, the game begins…

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1^st Quarter

Hwa Chong kicked off with a brilliant start with Min Gao getting possession of the ball for the team, following a strong swim-off.  It wasn’t long before Hwa Chong managed to get the ball to within scoring range. Unfortunately, a shot by Min Gao was blocked by the RI GK.

But it didn’t take long for HC to regain possession with a brilliant interception by Bryan Seetow, thwarting RI’s first attack.

The intensity stepped up as both teams begin their battle for the first goal. A powerful shot by An Jun missed the goal by a few inches, rebounding off the post. Raffles followed with a series of attacks, all of which were skillfully deflected by HC’s Goal Keeper, Xiong Xing Yu.

And with a last, final attempt by RI, the first quarter drew to a close with a score of 0-0.

2^nd Quarter

Once again, Hwa Chong started off the second quarter with possession of the ball. Unfortunately, an early foul in the match put Raffles in a man-up position (ie. A 6 on 5 situation in their favour).  Everyone waited with bated breath as Raffles readied themselves to take a shot. However, their hope for the first goal was dashed by the lightning quick reflexes of Edward Chow who knocked the ball right out of mid-air, and safely away from the goal.

Fuelled by their miss of a penalty shot, the RI team tirelessly attacked. Yet, our guys never let up on their defense, with the crowd constantly jumping to their feet to cheer for the fantastic saves. In particular, Hwa Chong’s Tai Joum made a dazzling interception to what would have been a certain goal, breaking Raffles charge of within 1.5m of our goalposts.

However, even the strongest of armor has kinks and Raffles eventually found ours. RI 10 successfully landed a shot through the hands of our goal keeper, scoring the first goal of the match.

Hwa Chong tried their best to answer to this with a powerful shot by Raynold from 3m away just missing the goal and ricocheting off the top bar. Nevertheless, our guys managed to maintain the score for the rest of the quarter. The second quarter ended with another stunning save by Xing Yu of a ball that threatened to sneak into the top of the net.

The swim off for the 3rd quarter started against our favour. Nonetheless, our team managed to recover the ball soon enough and the ball landed with Seetow. Not letting any opportunity up, he attempted a long shot at the goal but alas, missed by inches! Hwa Chong continued to uphold their impenetrable defense, denying Raffles another shot at the goal.

Bringing the ball back into the opponents’ own half, Min Gao and An Jun went for consecutive shots but to no avail against strong defense showcased by our opponents.

Another unfortunate man up situation against our favour was faced but it got quickly diffused by superb teamwork and solid defense on our side.

Soon after, Seetow  brought the ball back to the opponents’ half and despite being marked by 2 players in front of the goal, he skillfully went for a shot but it rebounded off the RI GK and landed back in his hands. Not wasting any second, he tried again but unfortunately the ball was saved by the GK.

Next was Tai Joum‘s moment to shine. Following a great pass, he skillfully attempted a well-placed back shot that wowed the crowd. Unfortunately, the RI GK happened to be at the right place at the right time and blocked the shot. Raffles then capitalized on the situation and made several shots at our goal, but were denied a score repeatedly by the heroic saves of Xing Yu.

With mere seconds left in play for the quarter, Ernest aims and shoots! Alas the shot was unfortunately deflected by an opposing player. Hwa Chong continued to display great teamwork as our boys expertly passed the ball to each other, denying Raffles possession of the ball.

The start of the quarter saw Raffles gaining first possession of the ball. However, this was quickly corrected with a skillful interception by An Jun.

A foul by an opposing player led to a man up situation in our favour. With a fine show of teamwork, the ball was expertly passed to Min Gao who delivered the crucial equalizer!  This was a huge boost to the team’s morale as they swam back with renewed hope amidst the thunderous cheer of the crowd.

Another man up situation to Hwa Chong soon followed. Min Gao and Edward exchanged a quick round of passes before attempting a shot that unfortunately rebounded of the post. However, our boys did not give up with Seetow bravely battling against three other opponents in an attempt to reclaim the loose ball.

Good defense was the name of the game as every pass by the opponent was suffocated. Hwa Chong’s own An Jun even successfully intercepted a ball within the opponent’s attacking half, forcing Raffles to give up chasing after it.

A last attempt at the goal by the opponent was skillfully thwarted with a block from An Jun before the whistle was blown, signaling the end of an exciting match with a tie…..only to move on to extra time and 2 more quarters of action.

Extra Time

Our team came back recharged and ready for the extra time play.  Raffles started with the ball and the battle for possession reignited. But valiant efforts from both teams prevented any progress in the score and the first quarter quickly drew to a close.

The teams returned to their start lines rearing to go. With just three minutes left and the score still tied at 1-1, the intensity was at its peak.

The ball flew back and forth the court. Suddenly, Hwa Chong put up a spectacular play with a brilliant pass from Bryan Seetow to Ernest Aw who deflected it with a flick of his hand, pass the stunned Raffles Goal Keeper and into net! With one minute left on the clock, Hwa Chong was up 2-1.

30 seconds left. Raffles was desperate. An attempt by Raffles at the bottom left corner. Save by Xing Yu! Another shot by Raffles. Xing Yu does it again! One last try from Raffles. And you guessed it, XING YU SAVES IT.

Unfortunately, the Raffles Coach called a strategic timeout with 5 seconds left on the clock. Raffles repositioned themselves with the ball. And as luck would have it, a hurl from the sidelines and flick from another player landed Raffles the equalizer they needed.

Penalty Shoot Out

Moving on to penalty shootout, it was a nerve-wrecking moment for both players and supporters alike on both sides.

The players who represented us in the shootout are in the following order:

1. Ernest Aw

2. Tai Joum

3. Adriel

4. Seetow

Shooters from both sides attempted to outsmart the other’s GK by employing speed and technique to try and score. All eyes were on the player and the GK.

After an intense period of deafening silence, the result was out – We had lost by 4-2 in the shoot out to a National 2nd Placing.

Although the title was lost, the indomitable spirit of Hwa Chong shone through. Heads held high, backs straight and united as a team, the waterpolo guys displayed remarkable sportsmanship and courage.

Our polo boys have put in their best and that is all anyone can ask for, and they have certainly earned all our respect! Let’s get it back next year!

Tags: Water Polo
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Hot Off the Press: Water Polo Finals

One year later, our water polo guys team met the same school, Raffles Institution, at the pool in CCAB again. And what Hwa Chong witnessed was an intense battle with strong determination and will. Most of all was the burning, never-say-die attitude that our polo guys held to the very last second of the match, and we as one Hwa Chong stand as strong supporters alongside our fighters. So even though we lost with a score of 8-2 to Raffles Institution, we are proud to say that we still possess the eternal Hwa Chong spirit in us, and we salute that.

Our guys enter the pool, ready for the match to begin.

Snippets of the match today:

End of the second quarter: Hwa Chong was trailing behind with a score of 5-1.

Fighting to score a point

End of third quarter: Our waterpolo guys upped their defense and only allowed Raffles to score one point. Score stands at 6-1 in favour of Raffles.

Final score of 8-2, with Raffles Institution clinching the championship. Throughout the match we witnessed great display of sportsmanship from the Hwa Chong team, and the spectators were continually at the edge of their seats, cheering our team on.

 Thank you Waterpolo team, for your affirmation that even though tears were shed, we have lost the title, but we have won as fighters.

Hwa Chong supporters cheering the waterpolo guys

Shaking hands with opponents. Great sportsmanship!

As the waterpolo guys bowed to Hwa Chong, our hearts went out to them. (:

Sense of brotherhood, fighting together as comrades.

Catch some of the action that took place today:

Do look out for the detailed match report which will be posted a few days later. (:

Tags: Water Polo
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