China romped to a 16-3 win over Hong Kong in their opening round robin women’s water polo match at the Sanya Asian Beach Games.
Xie Linshan top-scored for China with seven goals while Yin Yiting and Yang Shengxuan picked up three each.
Hong Kong led 2-1 in the first quarter, but were totally outplayed by the marauding Chinese in the next three.
China scored four unanswered goals in each of the next two quarters to take a commanding 9-2 lead going into the final quarter. The last quarter was another one-sided affair with China scoring seven against a consolation goal by Hong Kong.
In another round robin match, Kazakhstan needed a penalty shootout to defeat Thailand after both teams finished level 9-9 at the end of the regulation game.
Yana Smolina and Antropova Vassilissa converted their penalties for Kazakhstan while Pompin Ngamcharoensuktaworn and Pittayaporn Kwantongtanaree missed theirs.
Earlier, Kasakhstan started strongly to lead Thailand 6-3 in the first quarter but Thailand whittled down the lead in the next three quarters to draw level and force the shootout.
Pittayaporn scored four of Thailand’s goal in normal play before missing out in the shootout.
In contrast, Kazakshtan’s shootout heroines Smolina and Vassilissa picked up three goals each in normal play.
With the opening ceremony scheduled for later today, the two water polo matches were the only competition scheduled for the day.
Cambodia are participating in teqball, beach wrestling, jiu jitsu and aquathlon at the Games.
RESULTS
Water Polo
Women Kazakhstan bt Thailand 9-9 (2-0 on penalty); China beat Hong Kong, China 16-3
