Water Polo in Algeria

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are among the 12 countries to participate in the Men's Water Polo World Development Trophy tournament, which kicks off Wednesday (May 2nd) in Kuwait. The Algerian team will play in Group B along with Kuwait, Chile, Puerto Rico, Kenya and Saudi Arabia. Group A includes Morocco, Tunisia, Iran, South Korea, Uruguay and Colombia.

Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia to participate in Kuwait Water Polo tournament

[Al-khiyal]

Kuwaiti Water Polo team defeats Algeria in World Development Competition opener

KUWAIT, April 5, 2009 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti Water Polo men's national team kicked off the opening game with a win against Algeria, at the locally-held FINA Men's Water Polo World Development Competition on Sunday. Kuwait beat Algeria, 16-8, in the tournament conducted officially under the international governing body of water sports, FINA. Thanks to quick attacking execution and speedy defensive recovery, Kuwait managed to grip on to an advantage it maintained throughout the game. With the huge difference in goals, Kuwait now tops Group A, over Trinidad and Tobago, and Indonesia. Trinidad and Tobago beat Guatemala, 12-5, and Indonesia managed to overcome an adamant Tunisia, 12-9.

Nawaf Al-Otaibi, a member of the Kuwaiti team informed KUNA following his triumph, that he was ecstatic. He said the achievement was the fruit of efforts of the players and technical and administrative staff, who "treat each game as a final." Al-Otaibi also expressed optimism that victories of this sort would be maintained throughout the locally-held competition. The Kuwaiti team carried out an 18-month training camp in China, and made good progress in an international competition during its visit, he added. The Kuwaiti Water poloer called on his people to back its national team, and encourage them to do achieve further results.

Group B, witnessed some outstanding games, with Uruguay ultimately thrashing Kenya, 26-0, while the Philippines beat Jamaica, in what was arguably the most entertaining and equally-matched clash of the evening, 9-7. In the same group, Morocco suffered a huge 16-2 defeat to Singapore.

The next round of the competition will be held on Monday, with a crucial clash between Kuwait and Tunisia, while Algeria meets Trinidad and Tobago for Group A. Also, Group B games will include the Philippines vs. Morocco, Indonesia vs. Guatemala, Singapore vs. Uruguay and Jamaica vs. Kenya.

[Al-khiyal]

Maghreb water polo teams compete in Kuwait

April 6, 2009 -- Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are taking part in the 2nd FINA World Water Polo Development Tournament in Kuwait City until April 11th. Kuwait beat Algeria 16-8 and Tunisia lost to Indonesia 9-12 in group A matches Sunday, while Morocco suffered a 2-16 defeat to Singapore in group B. On Monday, (April 6th), Algeria meet Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia play Kuwait and Morocco face the Philippines.

[Al-khiyal]

Trinidad and Tobago too good for Algeria

April 8, 2009 -- The Trinidad and Tobago senior water polo team scored their second victory in a row, posting a 12-4 win over Algeria in their second match at the 2nd FINA Men's Water Polo Development Trophy in Kuwait Monday.

The Algerians started fast, pushing the T&T boys back and the constant pressure caused an error on defence and the score was 0-1 after a minute and a half.

Less than a minute later the exclusion of Matthew George led to a goal which had the Algerians leading 2-0. But captain Christopher George's side began to establish a much more patient and organised game.

With 2:57 to go in the period, Kristian Bocage drove home T&T's first item on a man advantage to make it 1-2. Then top long distance swimmer John Littlepage stole the ball and passed perfectly to a sprinting Christian Flook who easily beat his man downfield and slotted home, to tie the scores at 2-2.

It seemed T&T had taken Algeria's best and stood their ground. During the interval coach James Robertson called a play that was executed to perfection, as the offence cleared out the left side and George (M)'s accurate pass found his brother Christopher making no mistake.

George (C) then scored again, two goals coming in the first minute of the period and with Joseph making two fine saves at the other end T&T were ahead 4-2.

With 4:20 left in the half, after successfully defending a "man down" situation, Littlepage spectacularly beat the goal keeper from seven metres out for 5-2, then with two seconds on the clock Flook's effort from half-line was aided by a deflection to make it 6-2.

In the third period, George (C), in a show of strength, got out of the water with a defender draped all over him and hammered home for a 7-2 T&T lead.

The T&T defence continued their stranglehold on their opponents and the offensive success at the other end continued when Bocage shot low inside the post for 8-2.

With 1:40 to go Andrew Francis cleverly found Mattheaus Otero who had snuck into a wide open position in the flat, for an open shot and it was 9-2.

With a man advantage, the Algerians broke a string of nine unanswered goals, then Francis beat the keeper with a low skimmer and it was 10-3.

Early in the fourth period George (C) returned the favour by passing to his brother Matthew who easily beat the keeper and with 2:09 left Bocage scored on a "foul and shoot" as T&T made it 12-3.

At that point Robertson cleared the bench, resting key players and giving subs playing time, but Algeria added one more, scored on a man-advantage, for a final score of 12-4.

According to reports, T&T have turned some heads at the tournament and have emerged as the hosts' toughest competition.

Coach Robertson commented: "I am happy with the team's performance and the team is taking things one game at a time."

Their next outing was scheduled to be against Indonesia yesterday.

[Al-khiyal]

FINA Men’s Waterpolo Development Trophy Tournament, Kuwait

Final Standings:

1 Kuwait,
2 Singapore,
3 Trinidad and Tobago,
4 Philippines,
5 Morocco,
6 Algeria,
7 Uruguay,
8 Indonesia,
9 Jamaica,
10 Guatemala,
11 Tunisia,
12 Kenya.

[Al-khiyal]

Les poloïstes champions

Mercredi 15 Juillet 2009 -- L’équipe de water-polo de l’ASUC Sétif s’illustre pour la deuxième année consécutive. Ainsi, les camarades de Mekhalef s’adjugent, une fois de plus, le doublé (coupe et championnat d’Algérie). Les juniors auraient pu en faire autant ! Détenteurs du titre de champion, les jeunots de l’ASUC échouent en finale face à la formation de l’Orca Alger. Les performances de l’équipe de water-polo, possédant en son sein six internationaux, réjouissent le président du club, Hocine Guessas, qui ne cache pas sa satisfaction. «Avec ce doublé, nos poloïstes confirment que Sétif est un bon pôle de développement de la natation ; ces performances sont la résultante d’une année de labeur. Avec un peu plus de moyens, nous serions en mesure de mieux faire», souligne notre interlocuteur qui attend un signe des responsables de la ville de Sétif, lesquels ont récompensé, hier, l’équipe de basket de l’US Sétif qui vient d’accéder avec brio en division une B.

[Al-khiyal]

Tunisia to host African water-polo event

June 1, 2010 -- Tunisia will host a water-polo World Cup zonal qualifying tournament beginning June 17th in Rades, TAP reported. Algeria, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia will vie for a slot at the World Cup finals, slated for July 27th-August 1st in Oradea, Romania.