The Serbian men’s water polo team defeated the Hong Kong first team 3:0 (3:2, 6:1, 5:3) in the second round of the league phase of the 4×4 Water Polo World Championship in Dubrovnik.
The first set was very even. Two goals by Miroslav Ranđić and a goal by Aleksandar Kovačević gave Serbia a 3:1 lead, while Hong Kong reduced the lead to 3:2 with a bonus point in the final. The Serbian water polo players maintained their advantage in the final and won the first set.
Serbia played its best game in the second set, which it won 6:1. Filip Ćorić scored three goals in that period, Kovačević two, and Đorđe Ljubenović one.
A great fight was seen in the third set. Hong Kong turned the tables and took a 3:2 lead, and Radosav Virijević then saved a bonus point and kept Serbia in the game. Petar Jović equalized, Ćorić took the lead, while Petar Stanić scored in the last second to make it 5:3.
The most efficient players in the Serbian national team were Aleksandar Kovačević and Filip Ćorić with four goals each. Miroslav Ranđić scored three, and Petar Jović, Đorđe Ljubenović and Petar Stanić scored one goal each.
Serbia will play against Georgia in the third round on Wednesday, September 2, at 2:50 p.m.
Serbia – Hong Kong first team 3:0 (3:2, 6:1, 5:3)
SERBIA: Virijević, Jović 1, Petrovski, Ljubenović 1, Ranđić 3, Kovačević 4, Ćorić 4, Stanić 1.
Selector: Goran Krstonošić.
HONG KONG first selection: Liu Yew Yen Yans, Ching Tsz Shun 4, Fung Kong Chun 1, Fung Kong Ching, Zhang Tsz Hin, Choi Hin Kit Gilman, Cheng Hei Chun, Cheng Hei Man 1.
Selector: Kirill Rustamov.
Peterci: Serbia 1/1, Hong Kong 2/3.
Bonus points: Serbia 0/0, Hong Kong 1/2.
Referee: Tony Karaman (United States of America).
