“Sharks” Caused Major Issues for Japan: Serbia’s Triumph Over the USA Secures 2nd Place and an Easier Playoff Opponent
There’s a new performance to consider, but the key point is that the “sharks” are still in the race for the World Cup quarter-finals, which is also a pathway to the Olympic Games in Paris.
In their final match of Group C, the Montenegrin water polo team faced a tough challenge against Japan but managed to prevail with a score of 13:11, securing their playoff spot.
The boys coached by Vladimir Gojković faced an unusual playing style from Japan in the first two quarters, falling behind with scores of 4:3 and 5:4, before heading into halftime tied at 5:5. However, they managed to turn things around in the third quarter.
With a notable performance, Dušan Matković, Draško Brguljan, Marko Mršić, and Vlado Popadić pulled ahead decisively with a strong 4:0 run, taking command with a series of 9:5.
Japan attempted to rally in the final quarter, narrowing the gap to two goals, but Montenegro ultimately demonstrated their superior skill, achieving a critical victory.
Matković led our team with four goals, while Aleksa Ukropina found the net three times, and Popadić contributed with two goals.
Brguljan, Miroslav Perković, Mršić, and Jovan Vujović each scored once to add to the tally.
Our national team is set to enter the quarterfinals, likely from either the second or third position, depending on the outcome of today’s match between Serbia and the United States at 15:30 p.m.
If the “dolphins” secure a victory, Montenegro will finish in second place and face Romania in the playoffs. Conversely, a win for the “Americans” would pit them against Italy.
MONTENEGRO – JAPAN 13:11 (3:2, 2:3, 4:0, 4:6)
Location: Doha – “Aspire home”. Attendance: 150. Officials: Cvart (Netherlands), Ome (Germany). Man advantages: Montenegro 11 (5), Japan 4 (1). Penalties: Montenegro 2 (1), Japan 4 (4).
Montenegro: Lazović, Brguljan 1, Perković 1, Averka, Popadić 2, Vidović, Ukropina 3, Spaić, Matković 4, V. Radović, Tešanović (eight saves), Mršić 1, Vujović 1.
Japan: Tanamura, Adachi 2, Watanabe 5, Ogihara, Inue, Suzuki 1, Tade, Takata, Nita, Inaba 2, Okawa 1, Araki, Nishimura (eight saves).