The Australian Youth women’s team has triumphed 10-6 over Brazil to finish seventh at the FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships at Challenge Stadium, Perth.
Australia shrugged off the disappointment of back to back losses against Hungary and Canada to post their fourth victory of the tournament.
Local Perth star and WAIS athlete Jessica Zimmerman played her best match of the week slotting home three goals, while Maddi Schmid and Chloe Barr both netted two.
Head coach Aleks Osadchuk said he was very proud of the girls and believed they deserved their victory.
“It’s always good to finish with a win and I’m very pleased the girls were able to gain valuable experience,” he said.
“The whole week has been very beneficial to them and they all have bright futures ahead of them.”
WAIS scholarship holder Madeleine Quinn opened the scoring for Australia after 4:50, before Schmid netted two more – including an eight metre rocket and a 5m penalty – to hand Australia the lead.
The Brazilians scored their goals through Mirella Coutinho and Izabella Chiappini, only for Zimmerman and captain Chloe Barr to fire home another two to give Australia a 5-3 half time advantage.
At the end of the first half both teams received a yellow card for simulation and that proved costly with Schmid being suspended for the game for a repeat offence.
Barr then received her third major foul to leave Australia two players down with a quarter and three minutes remaining.
Luckily for Australia, Zimmerman continued her scoring prowess netting her third, to go with centre forward goals from Shannan Martin and Belinda Symons.
Ainsley Masek was also strong keeping the tournament’s second leading scorer Chiappini to just two goals.
Overall it was a strong finish for the Australians and Zimmerman said her team was very pleased with the four goal win.
“It’s definitely a good feeling to get the win. We we’re really excited to get the victory and a bit disappointed after yesterday’s game, so it a great team effort to bounce back,” Zimmerman said.
“It’s been great to play here in Perth in front of my friends and family and I’m really happy.”
The seventh placed finish is equal to Australia’s result at the 2009 Youth Women’s Championship in Khantia-Mansia, Russia and Australian senior coach Greg McFadden indicated that this team could follow a similar path.
“The Aussie born ’91 girls finished seventh in Russia and then came out and won bronze at the World Juniors in 2011. While we are a fair way behind the Europeans at this age group, it has been proven in the past that our girls really develop from 18 to 20,” McFadden said.
“We don’t have a competition like the European Championships. The highest level that our girls play is the 16 & Under National Championships, so that is something we need to work on.
“But I do believe that the players we have chosen have great potential. It just comes down to whether they want to train hard and work to reach their goals.”
– Water Polo Australia
