They might be a little short on experience but the Indonesia water polo team will be aiming to improve on the bronze medal they won two years ago in Korat.
Athletes training at Swimming Pool, National Sports Complex.
There are only four teams taking part in the men’s water polo event here in Vientiane where apart from Indonesia, the others are defending champions Singapore, Philippines and Thailand.
Former player Jovinus Carolusle, who is now the head coach for Indonesia, said that while there are only 60% of the players who played in Korat are here now in Vietiane, the aim of the team is obvious. “I have already told the players what is the aim of the team at this SEA Games. If they want to be better and improve on the bronze they won two years ago in Korat, then they will have to put up their very best,” said Jovinus, who had played for Indonesia from 1987 to 1999.
“But I have to admit that we are a little short on experience this time round.”
However, the Indonesians could not have chosen a harder opponent then having to face defending champions Singapore, who have won the title for a record 22 times since 1965, in their first match tomorrow. The last time they met at the Korat SEA Games, it ended on a 13-6 victory for Singapore.
Singapore team manager Samuel Wong said that their task here is obvious and that is to continue their dominance in the sport.
“We are here to do a job and that is to defend the crown we have been winning all these years,” said Samuel.
“I believe that Thailand and the Philippines will be our main rivals although considering that we beat them some months back during the Singapore Open Championship, it speaks well for our current team.
“But everyone here wants to be us, so we cannot take anything for granted.
By: WSL MSC Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia) – ICT Committee
December 04, 2009
