The Australian Men’s Water Polo team claimed a silver medal at the FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament in Japan, after going down 10-9 to the USA in the final.
With scores locked at nine goals a piece, it came down to the final two seconds, with USA firing a long-range shot to snatch gold.
The silver medal has secured the Aussies a spot in next month’s FINA World League Super Final in China, which will form a vital part of their Rio 2016 preparations.
Despite the narrow loss, Australian Head Coach Elvis Fatovic acknowledged the improvement from the squad over the course of the Tournament.
“I am more satisfied with our presentation in this game. We played really good in defence, our attack and our structure – we created lots of opportunity but in the end was a little bit unlucky.
“Definitely this is huge improvement from the first game we played against the USA in this Tournament,” said Fatovic.
The Aussies won four of six games in Japan, suffering defeat only against the US, who were undefeated throughout the Tournament.
Australia’s campaign also presented the opportunity to play matches against Brazil and Japan, two of the nations they’ll be up against in the preliminary rounds of the Rio Olympic Games.
London Olympian Johnno Cotterill admitted the side were disappointed to have not walked away with the gold medal after such a close final.
“It was disappointing to come away with the loss. We improved all week and we were really in there with a shot but in the end it didn’t turn our way.
“Our focus is always defence and I think this Tournament that was apparent. There was a lot of blow outs for other teams, but we stayed strong and steadfast in that,” said Cotterill.
The Australian squad included WAIS scholarship athletes George Ford and Joel Swift, and Sharks side will now head to the USA for training camp and test match Series with team USA.
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