The games for the 9-16 classification were played in the morning session of the 5th day of the men’s water polo tournament at the World Championships in Gwangju.
Montenegro defeated Japan (14:7), while the USA team recorded a convincing win over South Africa (20:3) in the classification for the places 9-12.
Brazil won the 13th place, by defeating Kazakhstan. Host South Korea clinched the 15th place, after a penalty-shootout win over New Zealand.
18th FINA World Championships, men’s water polo tournament, Day 5, morning session
Classification 9th -12th, semifinals
Montenegro – Japan 14:7 (3:2, 4:1, 4:3, 3:1)
Montenegro: Ivovic 3, Murisic 3, Spaic 2, Draskovic 2, Brguljan 1, Cuckovic 1, Ukropina 1, Janovic 1.
Japan: Inaba 2, Arai 2, Koppu 1, Shimizu 1, Adachi 1, Koppu 1.
USA – South Africa 20:3 (5:0, 8:1, 5:2, 2:0)
USA: Bowen 4, Irving 4, Hallock 4, Hooper 2, Daube 2, Farmer 1, Ramirez 1, Smith 1, Cupido 1.
South Africa: Rodda 1, Cronje 1, Spencer 1.
Montenegro beat Japan easily than it as expected, while the USA trashed South Africa.
Japan had an opening 1:0 lead, but Montenegro took control after a few minutes of play and didn’t slow down until the end. The USA team taught a lesson to South Africa.
Classification 13th -16th
For the 13th place
Kazakhstan – Brazil 8:9 (3:3, 2:2, 1:2, 2:2)
Kazakhstan:Medvedev 2, Zherdan 2, Ruday 2, Aubakirov 1, Verdesh 1.
Brazil: R. Real 3, P. Real 2, Guimaraes 2, Coutinho 1, Freitas 1
For 15th place
South Korea – New Zealand 17:16 (3:3, 2:2, 4:5, 3:2, PSO 5:4)
South Korea: Y. Gwon 3, Seonuk Lee 2 (+1), Gwon 2 (+1), Seongyuu Lee 2 (+1), Song 1, D. Kim 1, M. Kim 1, M. Chu (1 in PSO), Han (1 in PSO).
New Zealand: Lewis 4 (+1), Clark 3, Newcombe 2, Brown 1 (+1), Small 1 (+1), S. Bryant 1, Sunde (1 in PSO).
Brazil defeated Kazakhstan in a very close match for the 13th place. During the game, the difference between the sides was never larger than a goal. In the end, Rafael Real scored a game-winner for 9:8 with 1:32 remaining on the clock.
The Koreans finished their first appearance at the World Championships with a win in the match for the 15th place. New Zealand was near to a victory, as it led 11:9 in the middle of the fourth quarter. South Korea equalized 32 seconds from the end, to secure penalty shootout.
