Sharks Caught Out in Italy
The Australian men’s water polo team has suffered defeat in its final international match in Pescara, Italy going down to Germany 9-7.
It was the third consecutive defeat for the Sharks after earlier losses to Italy and Croatia.
WAIS has four athletes in the Sharks squad with goal keeper Luke Quinlivan joined by out field players Tim Cleland, Joel Swift and Aaron Younger.
The Australians have been training twice a day as well as playing games at night in preparation for next week’s FINA World League finals in Florence and the workload showed with a lack of consistency leading to play breaking down on a number of occasions.
Australian Head Coach John Fox said his troops needed to work on their teamwork.
“The effort and desperation was there tonight but the team work and cohesion were not,” Fox said.
“We now are heading to Hungary to continue our training and preparation for the World League finals in a week’s time.”
One pleasing area for the Australians was their extra man defence that restricted the Germans to one goal from seven chances.
Richie Campbell continued his stellar form and scored three goals, while fellow Beijing Olympians Rob Maitland and Anthony Martin notched two each.
In an earlier match:
The Australian Sharks men’s water polo team have go down 11-9 to Croatia in the second match of the International Tournament in Pescara, Italy.
Despite the loss it was a much improved performance from the Sharks after a less than satisfying display against hosts Italy in their first game of the four-team round robin tournament.
Here is some video from the game.
The Australians led 5-4 at halftime and apart from a 1-4 deficit in the third period were right in the game throughout.
Billy Miller scored three for Head Coach John Fox’s team in a game that the coach said was a much more pleasing effort that the previous day.
“That was better intensity, better effort today,” Fox said.
“Unfortunately in the third quarter we suffered and they scored three goals in four minutes and we lost momentum.
“We were still only 9 -10 down with an extra man with just over a minute to go in the game but we failed to convert and Croatia scored their 11th goal with 32 seconds remaining.
“But it’s pleasing that we were more competitive this evening being up 5-4 at half time after the team had undergone an exceptionally hard swim and weights session during the day as preparation for the World League finals.”
Australia plays Germany in their final game of the tournament, which is their final tune up for the FINA World League tournament that starts in Florence next week.
In Australia’s first match:
The Australian Sharks men’s water polo team has suffered an 11-3 drubbing at the hands of the host nation in the opening game of the International Tournament in Pescara, Italy.
The Australians were in the match early but struggled with jetlag and tiredness against the fresher Italians, losing every quarter including a 3-0 whitewash in the final term.
The difference between the two sides was never more evident than in extra man situations where the Australians converted none of their five chances, while the well drilled Italians were able to score on six of their ten opportunities.
Australian head coach John Fox was disconsolate with his troops after the match and is hoping for a better effort in their second game of the round robin tournament against Croatia tonight.
“The entire team lacked desperation and used tiredness as an excuse,” Fox said.
“I am looking for an improved performance against Croatia.”
The tournament is being used by three of the competing countries – Italy, Croatia and Australia to prepare for the FINA World League finals in Florence later this month while the fourth team, Germany, are focusing on July’s FINA World Championships in Shanghai.
-Water Polo Australia
