The Australian Stingers women’s water polo team have crushed Spain 14-6 in their opening round robin game of the FINA World League finals in Tianjin, China.
In a technical game that saw a total of 31 major fouls, the Australians jumped out to a 7-2 halftime lead and were never really threatened by the Spaniards.
Kate Gynther scored four for the Stingers, while Bronwen Knox and Ash Southern both netted three. Also making the score sheet, was the WAIS-AIS pair of Gemma Beadsworth (two) and Glencora Ralph.
Veteran Australian player Rebecca Rippon said her team went into the game with a plan to ify Spain’s marquee players and it worked.
“This game has given us a great start to the week,” Rippon said.
“By sticking to our defensive plan we were able to shut down their key players. We also were controlled and patient in attack and each player did their individual jobs well.”
Australian Head Coach Greg McFadden agreed, praising his entire squad.
“This was a very pleasing start to the tournament,” he said.
“The Spanish are a very good team and as we haven’t seen them since the World Championships in 2009 this result was good.
“They have a few dangerous players and to our team’s credit they operated well as a unit and ified the Spanish attack while maintaining a strong and aggressive attacking attitude ourselves.
“All players contributed to tonight’s game and hopefully we can continue to play our best polo.”
Australia play Canada tomorrow and the in form Russians on Thursday. Those two teams fought out a tense 8-7 win to Russia today.
The World League is the biggest international lead-up to the FINA World Championships in Shanghai in July.
– Water Polo Australia
