RI loses two in a row in the pool

RI loses two in a row in the pool

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The national water polo team suffered its second straight loss in the pool on Tuesday, with victory snatched from its grasp in the last moments of its game against Vietnam.

Indonesia, which had never lost to Vietnam in three previous matches in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, was tied 12-12 with 45 seconds remaining in Los Banos, Laguna, south of Manila. However, the Vietnamese launched a surprise attack to stun veteran goalkeeper Doni Arya and win 13-12.

"I don't know what happened," Doni, a veteran of four SEA Games, told Antara news service. "It seemed to be over so quickly."

Team manager Andreas Legawa was also taken aback by the defeat, which followed a 10-15 loss to the host team on Monday.

"I really don't know what happened to them. I'm confused. It was like they weren't competing. If yesterday they seemed like they were giving 70 percent, today it was like they were at 30 percent to 50 percent of their capacity."

The Philippines relied on brothers Ali, Frazier and Norton Alamara on Monday against Indonesia, The Philippine Inquirer reported.

Named after boxing's legendary American heavyweight champions, the trio combined for five goals, most of them in the final period, to secure the Filipinos' first win in the round-robin elimination competition.

Thailand, the 2003 SEA Games silver medalist, beat Vietnam, 7- 5, in the second game.

Monsuito Pelenio was the top scorer with four goals, all of them in the first quarter, for the Filipinos, who are hoping to finally win their first ever gold in the sport.

"The team maintained a high level of aggressiveness and showed a lot of heart," said Philippine Amateur Swimming Association president Mark Joseph. "This (win) will inspire them when they go up against Singapore tomorrow."

Almax Laurel also knocked in three goals to make things hard for the Indonesian team, which finished fourth in the 2003 Games.

Although the Indonesians managed to score two goals after that courtesy of Henrian Saragih and Hendri Maciano, it was clear from there that the locals had the game wrapped up with heads up play in the stretch.

Frazier and Norton Alamara finished with two goals each, while Ali, Danny Dela Torre, Sherwin Dela Paz and Dale Evangelista scored one each.