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Asian Games: Japan beats Indonesia in women’s water polo
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Indonesian water polo player Alya Nadira (center) fights for a ball against Japanese players during their Group A match in women’s category in the 18th Asian Games at Gelora Bung Karno’s aquatics arena in Senayan, Jakarta on Thursday. Indonesia lost 15-4. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
Japan collected its first group win in women’s water polo at the Asian Games after thrashing Indonesia 15-4 on Thursday.
The 2014 Incheon Games silver medalist silenced the host team with superb counterattacks and solid defense in the Group A round robin match.
Japan’s head coach, Motomiya Makihiro, said he was satisfied with his team’s performance.
"The first game of a competition is always difficult for any team, so I’m satisfied [with today’s result],” Makihiro told the press after the match.
Meanwhile, Indonesia coach Kontic Zoran of Serbia said his team had trouble adapting to the first match of the competition. He added that he was certain that the squad would do better in its second match against Hong Kong on Friday.
Japan got off to a flying start in Thursday’s battle by finishing the first quarter 5-2 with fast counterattacks. Meanwhile, struggling Indonesia found it difficult to breach their opponents’ net, causing the players to miss at least three potential shots at goal.
In the second quarter, the Japanese tightened their defense, which drew boos from the home crowd, while Indonesia intensified its attacks through small passes to level the score. Japan’s strategy worked out well, ending the quarter with a 2-1 lead.
Japan’s Inaba Akari started the third quarter with a cheeky lob-goal as the visiting team added two more goals. Meanwhile, Indonesia still looked for the best way to break down Japan’s defense, including changing players.
In the final quarter, Japan went even further with four goals from Sakanoue Chiaki and three more from Akari to win the match by 11 goals. Besides winning the battle, Team Japan was also very dominant on the bleachers, with its fans continuously cheering -- even louder than the home fans.
Japan goalkeeper Shioya Minami played a big role in Thursday’s match with her commanding voice as well as accurate long passes.
In the second group match on Friday, Japan will face China, while Indonesia takes on Hong Kong. (nkn)
