Stingers Face Tough Challenge to Keep World League Hopes Alive

The Australian Stingers face a tough road ahead in their 2018 FINA World League Super Final campaign after losing each of its three pool round matches in China.

The Aussies have been thoroughly competitive in all three matches, but were unable to register a win, meaning they now face the daunting prospect of a cross-over match against competition heavyweight the USA.

In their opening fixture, the Stingers fell to a 7-5 defeat against the Netherlands. WA athlete Lilian Hedges was impressive in goals keeping the Australians in the contest, but a lack of penetration in attack meant it was ultimately in vain.

The side faced a similar fate in its second match with hosts China, again ruing an inability to convert opportunities in attack, via an 8-6 defeat. Skipper Zoe Arancini was one of six individual goal scorers for the Australians in the match.

Fighting to avoid a clash with the USA in its final pool round match with Spain, Australia once again succumbed to a narrow defeat, with the Europeans edging the contest 10-9.

With scores level heading into the dying stages, a late strike for Spain was enough to claim victory in an entertaining contest between the same two nations that played out the 2013 World Championship final in Barcelona.

The pool round results mean Australia must now defeat the 2016 Olympic and 2017 World Championship winners the USA if it is to advance further in the 2018 FINA World League Super Final. That match will take place on Thursday May 31.

In addition to Hedges and Arancini, the Australian squad also includes Jessica Zimmerman.