The Australian men’s water polo team has courageously battled back from a two goal deficit with a quarter to play draw 5-5 with European heavyweights Montenegro in their second group stage match at the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
The Aussie Sharks employed a typically stifling defence against the 2013 world championship silver medallists but they could not convert their many chances in attack, hitting the frame or shooting over the goals too many times, despite a stunning final quarter comeback that netted three goals in just over two minutes.
The closeness of the game was no surprise considering the last time the two countries played, at the 2014 FINA World League Super Finals, the Sharks suffered a heartbreaking 12-9 penalty shootout loss after ending regulation time locked together at 8-all.
The draw followed Australia’s comprehensive 10-4opening match defeat of Japan and the Sharks now face the herculean task of taking on tournament hotshots Serbia on Friday at 5.10pm Perth time.
The Serbs beat Montenegro 11-8 earlier in the week and Australia will be aiming for an upset win or at the very least a close game to give them second place in the group on goal difference. Montenegro will take on Japan the same day.
The winner of the group will be awarded a day off on Sunday and a guaranteed quarterfinal spot next week, whilst second place will take on the third placed team in the crossover group games.
Montenegro struck first blood after converting a dubious 5m penalty halfway through the first quarter before extending their lead to 2-0 with an extraman strike leading into the break.
The European side scored first in the second stanza too, an extraman shot desperately deflected by Australian defender Nathan Power, unluckily diverting the ball past goalkeeper James Stanton-French.
Johnno Cotterill replied for the Sharks a minute later with a rocket from the top of the offensive setup and at the halftime break Montenegro led 3-1.
Australia came out firing in the third quarter with WAIS athlete Aaron Younger delivering from seven metres after just 28 seconds before Montenegro struck back with a tap in on the post in extraman three minutes later. They were the only two goals of another defensive struggle and with a term to play Montenegro led 4-2.
Younger got the scoreboard ticking 17 seconds into the last quarter with another laser from outside after a series of slick passes from two of Australia’s most experienced players, Rhys Howden and Richie Campbell.
Within 60 seconds AJ Roach scored for Australia with a cross cage strike in transition, locking up the scores, before Roach and Younger combined in extraman for the latter to thrust the Sharks into the lead for the first time in the match a minute later.
The Australians couldn’t put the nail in the coffin however and Montenegro scored on a Hail Mary lob as the shot clock ran down and the game clock reached 22 seconds.A desperate last possession for Australia failed to yield a goal, despite the appearance of what could have been a 5m penalty in their favour and the game finished tied.
A circumspect Australian head coach Elvis Fatovic wouldn’t enter into much discussion about the calls that went against his side but said he was proud of the effort the Sharks left in the pool, particularly their ability to deliver on their defensive plans.
“I’m more than happy how we played our defence,” Fatovic said.
“That’s something we talked about before the game because that was the strongest weapon for us. A strong defence and then counter attack.
“We did a really great job against one of the best teams in the world. We were a little bit unlucky in the end. For me it’s hard to say if it was a penalty at the end or not. Sometimes it’s a penalty, sometimes not but overall I’m very satisfied with the presentation of my boys.
“Anyway, we have a knockout game at some stage later and this game is just a good example of how we have to play, especially in defence and of course we know we have to improve some things in attack.”
Characteristically Younger chose to play down his individual contribution but the hulking Western Australian said his team had shown plenty of guts to come back into the game but ultimately it was the one that got away.
“Yeah that was a bit disappointing in the end, we obviously had the game in the bag and just unfortunately on their last attack let that last goal in,” Younger said.
“Fortunately though it’s a good step forward for us being behind two goals and being able to come back and get in the lead. That showed character but we want to be able to finish those games with a win later in the tournament as we get up higher.
“Being 4-2 down going into the last quarter then getting to 5-4 up is a positive to look at.”
Younger was joined in action by fellow WAIS scholarship holders Joel Swift and George Ford.
-WaterPoloAus
