Aussie Sharks Suffer Pain Against Spain

A slow start cost Australia in its match against Spain in the men’s water polo today in China, going down 9-8.

After a first up win over Greece two days ago, the Sharks were blown out of the water by a fast starting Spanish side, with Australia 4-0 down at the end of the first quarter.

Spain improved that margin to five goals before Australia finally found their form. Australia fought their way back to 6-5 but couldn’t pull level against a Spanish side tipped for the medal rounds.

WAIS athletes Jamie Beadsworth, Tim Neesham and James Stanton all played in the match for the Sharks, with Stanton making some key saves.

Australian Coach John Fox lamented the slow start and suggested the boys didn’t switch on mentally for the first quarter.

“We lost it in the first quarter, it’s as simple as that,” Fox told AAP.

“We outscored them by three goals in the last three quarters.”

“Everything in our preparation was right, so it’s a mental thing,” he said.

Australia now faces a difficult task to make the top three with another crunch match against Montenegro still looming. Australia’s next match will be against Canada, who lost 12-0 to the Montenegrins today.