JEDDAH, 10 May 2007 — The Saudi national water polo team arrived yesterday from Kuwait where they took the fifth position in the Water Polo World Cup for category B dubbed FINA Men’s Water Polo Development Trophy.
Colombia won the championship crown. Second place went to Puerto Rico, third to Iran, fourth to Kuwait, sixth to Uruguay, seventh to South Korea, eighth to Chile, ninth to Algeria, 10th to Tunisia, 11th to Morocco and 12th to Kenya.
Prior to the Kuwait campaign the team underwent a one-week training camp in Jeddah where they played several friendly matches with the UK water polo national team. They also saw action in the Asian Water polo Championship in Kuwait and the Saudi Al-Nokhbah Water polo championship. The national coach used the tournament to give international exposure to the first timers on the team.
The host team beat Saudi Arabia in their first encounter 9-6. The Saudis rebounded strongly beating Chile 13-9, routing Kenya 45-3, and downing Algeria 8-6. Saudi’s second defeat came when Puerto Rico beat them 9-8, but Saudi beat Iran 10-9 in the last match they played to decide the 5th and 6th places.
The Saudi squad comprised Basim Al-Harbi, Khalid Al-Harbi, Yusri Al-Laiyli, Ayman Al-Oryani, Walid Al-Ghamdi, Muhammad Fahal, Hussain Al-Jizani, Yassir Al-Birnawi, Muhammad Al-Zahrani and Ali Rabyei from (Al-Ahli), Bandar Al-Zahrani, Muhammad Al-Zahrani, Yassir Al-Zahrani, Adel Al-Malki, Mutib Al-Malki and Hamid Al-Nifai from (Al-Ittihad), and Ahmed Al-Shammari from (Al-Qadisiya).
Speaking to Arab News Ahmed Al-Shammari he said, “Colombia deserves to win because it was the only team fit and prepared to play.” He added winning the silver or bronze was a realistic target, but they did not have enough time to train. “We have the potential. It is a shame we lost it.”
