Croatia Defeat Australia 14-11 in World League Finals

Despite a determined last quarter comeback the Australian men’s water polo team has gone down to Croatia 14-11 in their first group stage game at the FINA World League Super Finals in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The London Olympic bound Aussie Sharks fell behind early to the white hot Croatians, trailing 6-2 at quarter time and 9-4 at the main break.

Croatia, who finished with bronze at last year’s FINA World Championships and who will also be in Australia’s group in the preliminary stage of the Olympics, then extended their advantage to 13-6 with a four goal to two third term.

But the Australians showed plenty of character in the final quarter, firing five goals, including a Billy Miller treble, past the Croatian goalkeeper to eventually go down 14-11.

Miller topped scored for Australia with three goals, whilst Beijing Olympians Richie Campbell and WAIS-AIS athlete Jamie Beadsworth chimed in with two goals apiece.

Australian head coach John Fox was philosophical after the loss.

“I was obviously disappointed with our defence early on but once we worked our way into the game later with improved mobility it was much better,” Fox said.

The Australians played without triple Olympian Gavin Woods and strike player Rhys Howden after both were accidently injured in separate training incidents last week at the team’s camp in Bangkok.

Woods received eight stitches to a cut above the eye and Howden 11 sutures to a gash below the eye.

Australia’s next game is against Brazil at 8.50pm AEST on Wednesday before they take on another of their London group stage opponents, Spain, at 8.50pm on Thursday.

The final 13-man Australian team for the London Olympic Games will be named at the end of next week.

– Water Polo Australia