The United States of America crushed Australia’s dreams of retaining its FINA World Cup women’s water polo crown in Christchurch recently.
In an incredible game, the world and world league champion USA suffocated the Aussie Stingers in the first half, winning the first two quarters 3-0 and finishing 6-3 ahead.
It wasn’t until Sydneysider Nicola Zagame sparked the Stingers into action at the start of the third quarter that a glimmer of hope remained in the camp.
However, at 6-2 heading into the final quarter the writing was on the wall and head coach Greg McFadden was left lamenting what could have been.
“The Americans came out to do battle and ready to go to war. We were ready to go to bed. You have to question the mental toughness when you leak six goals in a half, especially in a final.
“In the second half it was a long way but not out of reach. We finally decided to fight and play good water polo. We created plenty of opportunities to win the game.
“Our shot selection was diabolical. Betsy (Armstrong) had a good final but she wasn’t forced to make any spectacular saves, early in the game especially. I was disappointed as the Americans wanted the game more,” he said.
WAIS-AIS athlete Gemma Beadsworth and goalkeeper Victoria Brown were two of the bright lights in the team through the six-day tournament with Beadsworth being named the event’s Most Valuable Player for her all-round play, as well as scoring probably the best goal of the tournament.
China earned its first international medal at the senior level with an 11-9 victory over European champion Russia after being 10-5 up at one stage in the bronze-medal play-off. It was a truly fine performance and sets the team up for a home tilt at the FINA World Championships crown in Shanghai next year.
The play-off for fifth and sixth was a screamer with the game locked at 10-all by full time, 13-all after two periods of extra time, before Canada scored five straight with Hungary missing one and not being called to have its last attempt.
In the play-off for seventh and eighth, Greece withstood an early challenge from New Zealand, swimming away with the game in the middle periods for a 16-8 victory.
– Water Polo Australia
