Aussie Sharks Put Bite into Kazakhstan

The Australian men’s water polo team has returned to form in brilliant fashion after defeating Kazakhstan 7-4 in their second game of the London Olympics.

Goals from WAIS duo Jamie Beadsworth and Tim Cleland, as well as a good performance from WAIS athlete Aaron Younger helped the Sharks lead from start to finish as they brushed aside their nerves to score their first points of London 2012.

Four-time Olympian Gavin Woods was outstanding in the first half, turning back the clock to bamboozle Kazakhstan in both attack and defence. He was dominant at centre forward earning numerous kick outs and capitalising in front of goal, before deputising at centre back.

Rhys Howden was also effective in that period netting his first of two goals, to give Australia a 4-1 lead at half-time.

A professional foul against Thomas Whalan early in third term led to a quick Kazak reply, before Kazakhstan netted another just seconds later to reduce the margin to one.

However a two-metre strike by Aidan Roach from the left pocket and a great flick goal by Tim Cleland restored the balance.

Kazakhstan kept fighting in the final term, but brilliant centre back play by 20-year old Aaron Younger and Howden’s second was enough to seal the win for the Sharks.

Head coach John Fox was pleased with the result and said he saw enough in that performance to suggest the Sharks could go all the way.

“Defensively we were much better,” Fox said after the game.

“We had a little lapse at the start of the third term where we allowed two easy goals, but the rest of the game was very encouraging.”

“We’re working our way into it which is what you hope to do, and we’re very happy with where we’re at.”

Tim Cleland agreed with his coach and conceded their first up loss may have been the result needed to kick them into gear.

“While our game against Italy was disappointing there were still a lot of positives and I suppose today was a continuation of that,” he said.

“We just need to keep ticking the boxing and hopeful we can continue our charge to the quarters.”

The Sharks now sit fourth in Group A with a win and a loss to their name. Their next match is against Spain at 5pm on Thursday Perth time.