HANGZHOU — Japan men struck gold for the first time in 53 years after they defeated hosts China 11-7 in a pulsating Asian Games gold-medal match at the Huanglong Sports Centre on Saturday (October 7).

The Japanese proved their top-tier status with a spectacular counter-attacking display, and in turn, booked their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics.  

Japan coach SHIOTA Yoshinori (JPN) said: "We won these Asian Games for the first time in 53 years. It's a very long time that we couldn't win it, but we made it.

"We had a lot of pressure on us (winning the title and the qualification for Paris), but we made it. Our goal is to be top eight in world championships and Olympic Games."

China could not repeat their heroics of Friday night when they beat Kazakhstan, but the silver medal is evidence of their rapid improvement within the sport post-Covid.

"This result was much more of what we can do at this moment," said China coach Petar POROBIC (MNE).

"Do not forget, our men's team didn't work for two seasons (due to Covid-19) and didn't organise training. So, after one year, against a strong team like Japan, I think it was a good result."

(Editor's Note: Petar POROBIC died while in transit to Europe following the gold-medal match).

Kazakhstan had won gold in six out of the last seven Games, but this time they had to settle for the bronze medal after beating Iran 10-9 via a penalty shootout.

Despite taking victory, Alexey SHMIDER (KAZ) couldn't hide his disappointment. He said: "I'm not at all happy, our goal was qualification for the Paris Olympic Games through getting gold.

"We won gold at the last three Asian Games, bronze for us is not satisfying at all. We will not accept it."

In earlier classification matches, Singapore came through with three goals in 91 seconds late in the final quarter to break clear of South Korea, eventually winning 10-8 and taking fifth ranking.

Hong Kong, China outlasted Thailand 20-19 in sudden-death penalty shootout after the match for seventh was locked at 11-11 at full time.

Men’s Results

Day 1: Group A: China 27 Thailand 8, Iran 15 South Korea 4. Group B: Kazakhstan 25 Hong Kong, China 4, Japan 28 Singapore 5.
Day 2: Group A: Iran 26 Thailand 7, China 15 South Korea 8. Group B: Japan 15 Kazakhstan 13, Singapore 11 Hong Kong, China 8.
Day 3: Group A: South Korea 23 Thailand 7, China 15 Iran 7. Group B: Kazakhstan 22 Singapore 4, Japan 27 Hong Kong, China 6.
Final points:
Group A: China 9, Iran 6, South Korea 3, Thailand 0.
Group B: Japan 9, Kazakhstan 6, Singapore 3, Hong Kong, China 0.
Day 4: Quarterfinals: Iran 31 Singapore 6, Kazakhstan 15 South Korea 8, China 23 Hong Kong, China 3, Japan 23 Thailand 2.
Day 5: 5-8 semifinals: Singapore 9 Thailand 6, South Korea 15 Hong Kong, China 11. 1-4 semifinals: Japan 18 Iran 11, China 14 Kazakhstan 13 in penalty shootout (FT: 10-10. Pens: 3-4).
Day 6: Classification 1-2, Japan 11 China 7. Classification 3-4: Kazakhstan 10 Iran 9 in penalty shootout (FT: 7-7. Pens: 3-2). Classification 5-6: Singapore 10 South Korea 8. Classification 7-8: Hong Kong, China 20 Thailand 19 in sudden death penalty shootout (FT: 11-11. Pens: 8-9).

China cleans up women’s crown

China put the women’s water polo world on notice by producing a dominant display to defeat Japan 24-11 and secure their fourth consecutive Asian Games title at Huanglong Sports Centre (on Sunday, October 1).

The hosts displayed their attacking prowess to record a statement victory, while also showing their mental strength to withstand a short fightback from their counterparts in the second quarter.

China head coach Theocharis PAVLIDIS (GRE) said: “The performance was amazing; I am very proud of my team. The girls showed their spirit, they played for their country, for the leaders, and for everyone in this team.

“For two years we worked hard for this match. We have booked our ticket to Paris (2024 Olympics) which is very important. We beat Japan by a clear margin.

“At the Olympics we will have to play against European teams, and the USA, who are at a better level than China are now.

“We need to become a team that believes we can beat anyone.”
Despite losing on the night, Japan secured the silver medal after winning all five of their previous matches in Hangzhou.

However,  SUNABE Ai (JPN)wasn’t satisfied. “I’m very sad we didn’t get gold,” she said. “Next time we need to level up. First, we have to rest, keep training, and we have to get better.”

Earlier in the day, Kazakhstan proved too strong for Uzbekistan in the round-robin tournament, winning 16-8 to confirm the bronze medal.

"The girls are great and have done a great job. I am so proud of them. I would like to thank them for this medal,” said Kazakhstan head coach, Marina PERTSEVA (KAZ).

Women’s Results

Day 1: Kazakhstan 12 Singapore 6, Japan 33 South Korea 2, China 33 Uzbekistan 5.
Day 2: Uzbekistan 18 Korea 8, Japan 32 Thailand 10, China 26 Singapore 2.
Day 3: Singapore 24 South Korea 1, Thailand 17 Uzbekistan 11, China 17 Kazakhstan 8.
Day 4: Singapore 7 Thailand 6, Kazakhstan 24 South Korea 4, Japan 37 Uzbekistan 7.
Day 5: Kazakhstan 13 Thailand 8, Japan 34 Singapore 6, China 29 South Korea 3.
Day 6: Japan 23 Kazakhstan 14, Singapore 14 Uzbekistan 11, China 26 Thailand 9.
Day 7: Thailand 20 South Korea 7, Kazakhstan 16 Uzbekistan 8, China 24 Japan 11.
Final points/rankings: China 18, Japan 15, Kazakhstan 12, Singapore 9, Thailand 6, Uzbekistan 3, South Korea 0.`

 

Courtesy: Asian Games News Service