The Australian junior men’s water polo team have finished eighth at the FINA World Men’s Junior Water Polo Championships, after losing their final game 14-10 to Croatia in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
There was a similar feel to this encounter as there had been to Australia’s penultimate game against Montenegro last night, with the Aussies seemingly just one step behind Croatia throughout the game, Croatia consistently converting one to two goals more each period.
Despite the eventual score line, Australia produced a competitive performance that saw moments of great skill, especially in attack with Nick Brooks leading the Australian charge to claim five goals for the game.
Croatia got off to a quick start to dictate the state of play and race to a three goal lead in the opening minutes, with Australia left to chase them down, scoring two of their own goals to trail 4-2 at the first break.
The game tightened up in the second term, Australia racing back into contention with goals to Chris Perrott, WAIS athlete Jordan Kremers-Taylor, Will Armstrong and Angus Lambie to equalise the game 6-6 part way through the quarter. However Croatia wised up and again took the lead to be in command 9-6 at the main break.
Left chasing Australia again responded with a treble of goals to Brooks early in the third stanza, however Croatia had other ideas and worked hard to maintain their three-goal break, 12-9 at the final change.
With just one period left Australia found themselves trying all sorts of combinations to make up the deficit, while in goals Anthony Hrysanthos made big saves to limit Croatia to two goals. Best efforts aside, it was Croatia who held their nerve to win and claim the seventh place finish.
Kremers-Taylor was joined in action by fellow WAIS athletes Andrew Ford and Will Mackay.
-WaterPoloAus
