Japan and China enter Women’s Final; Iran seal Men’s Final berth after thrilling win over Japan
NEW DELHI: The 11th Asian Aquatics Championships witnessed a thrilling day of water polo action at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, with high-intensity Semi Finals and classification matches unfolding across both men’s and women’s categories. Japan and China advanced to the Women’s Final, while Iran booked their spot in the Men’s Final after edging out Japan in a dramatic encounter.
In the Women’s 5–8 Classification Match, Singapore produced a commanding performance to defeat India 27–7. Singapore’s Tio Ji Suan, Lim Wan Jun Nicole, and Koh Xiao Li led the scoring with 4 goals each, while Lee Xuan Hui and Wan Celeste Ferraao added 3 apiece. Yap Jingxuan Ranice, Gan Huimin, and Yeo Ying Xuan Kayla contributed 2 goals each, with Ong Shu En, Ong Jia Hui, and Loo Tee Inna scoring once.
For India, Captain Varsha Suresh and Kripa Ranichithra netted 2 goals each, while Safwa Sakeer, Dhruthi Karthikeya, and Madhurima Shanti added one goal apiece.
In the Women’s Semi Finals, Japan overcame Thailand 25–21 in a pulsating contest. Lowrey Nina starred for Japan with 9 goals, supported by Sanda Yumeka (4), Kobayashi Maho (3), and Shironoshita Kaho (3). Captain Fukuda Shoka, Shibata Kanade, and Eguchi Seira chipped in with 2 goals each. For Thailand, Rueangsappaisan Raksina led the charge with 7 goals, followed by Puangtong Kritsana (4) and Chotrotchanaanan Paranee, Kongchouy Thanita, and Kwantongtanaree Pittayaporn with 2 goals each.
In the other Women’s Semi Final, China dominated Kazakhstan with a 14–4 victory. Zhang Qishuo led the scoring with 5 goals, while captain Sun Yating added 3. Li Peiyang and Wang Xuan scored 2 each, with Guo Chenghong and Li Jianyu also finding the net. For Kazakhstan, Kaplun Viktoriya, Anossova Valeriya, Nabiyeva Milena, and Ozkaya Alina each scored once.
The Men’s Semi Final between Iran and Japan turned out to be a nail-biter, with Iran narrowly triumphing 19–18 to reach the final. Iran’s captain Yazdankhab Mehdi led from the front with 7 goals, while Ghavidelhajiagha Amin added 3. Mehrikohneshahri Alireza, Iranpourtari Ashkan, and Adham Mersad scored 2 each, and Aghaei Karim Omid, Behzadsabouri Farbod, and Golestanirad Mehrab added one apiece.
Japan fought hard, with captain Ura Enishi scoring 4 goals, and Lowrey Jun, Maeda Toshiyuki, Moroiya Yuki, and Maeda Atsuya scoring 3 goals each. Matsuno Ryosuke added 2 goals to Japan’s tally.
In other classification matches, Uzbekistan defeated Hong Kong 14–7 in the Women’s 5–8 classification round, with Gavashelashvili Elena and Andriyakhina Sofiya netting 4 goals each. Markova Alisa added 2, while Gergel Veronika, Salamatova Aziza, Verklova Aleksa, and Murtazaeva Komila each scored once. For Hong Kong, Ho Cheuk Kiu scored 4, Lau Kwan Ling 2, and captain Lau Tsz Ching 1.
In the Men’s 5–8 classification matches, Thailand edged Hong Kong 15–14 in a gripping contest, led by Kaewmanee Suteenan with 5 goals and Ekchaona Watcharawarong with 3. Captain Chompoosang Pattanit and Chainiyom Phongsathon added 2 each. For Hong Kong, captain Cheng Hei Man, Choi Hin Kit Gilman, and others put up a strong fight, with Choi scoring 4 goals.
In another Men’s classification clash, Singapore outclassed Uzbekistan 24–11. Ong Ee Ki Joshua, Lee Jia Jun Isaac, and Chow Yong Jun led Singapore’s attack with 4 goals each. Yap Dong Xuan Ryan scored 3, while captain Rajandra Sanjiv, Lok Shaunn Blasius, and Saik Justin Kin added 2 each. For Uzbekistan, Vishnyakov Artur scored 4 goals and Turgunov Shakhzod 3.
Later in the evening, China will face Kazakhstan in the Men’s Semi Final to decide the second finalist who will meet Iran in the championship clash.
