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Asian Games: Indonesia beats Hong Kong 9-8 in women’s water polo
Indonesia’s women's polo team has clinched its first victory at the 2018 Asian Games with a dramatic 9-8 win over Hong Kong, China.
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Mascot Asian Games Water Polo (Courtesy of/Inasgoc)
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ndonesia’s women's polo team has clinched its first victory at the 2018 Asian Games with a dramatic 9-8 win over Hong Kong, China, at the Aquatics Center of the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
The game on Friday ran very tight as the teams launched powerful strikes at each other.
The first goal in the first quarter was made by Indonesia’s Legawa Glindra Patricia, only to be neutralized by Hong Kong’s Mak Lee Sze seconds later. Chan Sze Thing scored shortly after that, bringing the first quarter to a 2-1 close in favor of Hong Kong.
Throughout the match, Indonesia seemed a little overwhelmed by Hong Kong’s attacks, especially by the powerful pair of Chan Sze Ting and Mak Lee Scze who each scored four goals for the guests.
However, the Indonesian players were able to recover under the pressure, launch counterattacks and ultimately end the final quarter 9-8, dealing the Hong Kong team a blow in their first match of the competition.
It was a reversal of fortune for the home team, which suffered a humiliating defeat of 15-4 to Japan on Thursday.
Wrapped in the team’s red robe, Indonesian captain Siwabessy Ariel Syah Cininta could not hide her proud smile when interviewed by the media after the match.
"We felt a little bit down in the first quarter, but we boosted our spirit, because we really wanted to beat Hong Kong in this match. We really wanted Indonesia to win this game. We were determined to never give up; that's when we launched the counterattacks against Hong Kong," the captain said.
Several scratches on her face bore witness to the competitive nature of the game.
Indonesian coach Zoran Kontic said he was happy with the dramatic victory.
"It didn’t start as we expected, but it finished as we expected. You have to know that this is their first win. This is historical for women's water polo in Indonesia. I'm really glad the girls didn’t give up," he said.
Indonesia will take on China in the next match, and Kontic said his players would do their best.
"We know China aims for the first place [...]. For us, this is a good experience. We will not give up and put up a good [fight]," he said.
