SL win Silver in a cliff-hanger 8-9 loss to Hong Kong
Sri Lanka (SL) emerged Runners-up at the Asia-Pacific Water Polo Tournament held at the Kowloon Aquatic Centre in Hong Kong, from August 18 to 21. Led by Yahan Samarajeewa, SL dished out superb performances throughout the competition, before going down to hosts Hong Kong 9-8 in a thrilling and fitting finale. This was the first ever occasion that a SL Water Polo team qualified for a final, creating history, as they faced a much-feared Hong Kong side to whom they lost 12-2 in the opening game. Hong Kong went into the game as clear favorites, but the never-give-in attitude of the Lankans meant they were in for a cracker of a game.
As predicted, a fast-paced Hong Kong team took an early advantage of 6-1, but centre-forward Wasim Bawa’s two goals gave SL the opening for a comeback and end the first half 6-3 in favour of the host team. The second half was much better for the Lankans who almost managed to even the scores. Shehan Dassanayake and Deelaka Weeraratne constantly punched holes in the Hong Kong defence, but fell short after a costly mistake during the last play of the game, as it finished 9-8 in favour of Hong Kong. Despite all odds, the young Lions proved what difference it makes when team spirit and passion prevails above everything else. SL eventually settled for the Silver medal.
“It was an absolute privilege to lead a bunch of talented young players who created history. Winning a Silver medal for the first time at this level will certainly be a positive factor for the future of local Water Polo. The players’ attitude was absolutely brilliant. Qualifying for the finals and challenging the much-feared Hong Kong team is as good as winning Gold,” said skipper Samarajeewa. The SL team got off to a rather unconvincing start on the first day, losing to Hong Kong 2-12. Deelaka Weerarathne was the only player to get on the score-sheet with a double. After that setback, which the team took as a ‘wake up’ call, the Lankans bounced back by coming on top after a nail-biting match against a formidable Singaporean side, which ended 6-5 in favour of SL.
The 2nd day was a much better day for the SL team as they comfortably beat Indonesia 11-6 and Hong Kong ‘B’, a second string team fielded by the hosts, 8-7. With this fighting comeback, SL advanced to the semi-finals to take on Japan. The clash with the Japanese was intense, and going into the last quarter of this evenly poised game, SL were trailing 5-6, but, like on many other occasions, the team fought back in the last quarter to win 8-6. The SL team has been participating in the Asia-Pacific Tournament since 2001, and had failed to even reach the knockout stages previously. “There were a lot of challenges in this journey, which made us stronger, and enabled us to achieve the unthinkable. I would be failing in my duties if I don’t thank our Coach Aloka Prelis and Team Manager Dayan Ranasinghe, who helped us achieve this.
This victory will definitely change the perspective of Water Polo in SL,” Samarajeewa went on to say. SL’s Silver Medal in Hong Kong is the first time a national Water Polo team reached a final with a good record, creating history for the sport in the country. Despite a lack of resources and funds to boost standards and lift morale of the National team, SL has come a long way forward in Water Polo. The 18th Panasonic Asia-Pacific Water Polo Tournament attracted teams from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Guam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, who fielded a relatively young and motivated team led by former Royal College and current Navy Sports Club player, Samarajeewa. The 2013-skipper of S. Thomas’ College, Devshan Demel was his deputy.
This year’s SL team comprised of experienced National players, with a smart blend of new blood that gave the side a perfect combination to challenge for the title. Shehan Dasanayake, Wasim M. Bawa, Chethana Munasinghe, Kosala Wijewardene, Avinda Caldera and S.J.S.Silva were among the more experienced players, while Deelaka Weeraratne, Aqeel Sourjah, Keshan Munasinghe and Pathum Edirisinghe gave the side the fresh blood it needed, along with N.P.D.S.C. Kumarasiri and K.H. Karunaratne. The officials included Aloka Prelis and Ajantha Silva as Coaches, Dayan Ranasinghe as Manager and Senura Abeywardena as Technical Official.