The Aussie Stingers have outclassed hosts China 11-5 in their second round robin game of the women’s FINA World League Super Final in Shanghai.
The victory over the Chinese in their home pool comes a night after Australia put in a stellar defensive display to restrict Russia to just four goals in an impressive 8-4 first up victory in the tournament that is the main lead-in to this year’s world championships.
Teenager Bronte Halligan contributed three goals, all in a four goal third quarter blitz by the Australians, whilst Nicola Zagame added a pair to her treble from the previous evening.
Australia jumped out of the blocks in the opening quarter, grabbing a 4-1 lead courtesy of goals to rising star Hannah Buckling and London Olympians Bronwen Knox, Ash Southern and Zagame.
Both sides netted a pair of goals in the second term before Halligan blazed home her third quarter treble, that with Zagame’s second and a clean sheet at the defensive end, gave Australia a massive seven-goal advantage.
Halligan, the daughter of New Zealand rugby league international Daryl Halligan, was eager to play down her own performance and said that despite the scoreline the Australians still had areas to improve.
“I think it was good in patches but very up and down at times,” the level headed Halligan said.
“We’ve been trying to settle our game, whilst still playing at a high intensity, which I think we did quite well tonight.
“There were a few good counter attack goals and a few good individual performances that set us up for the win.”
China got two goals back in the final quarter but the game was well and truly over before then and the focus of the Australians had turned to their next game.
Australia’s third game of the FINA World League Super Final will be against European powerhouse Italy tomorrow night at 6.20pm Perth time. The Italians also handed China a five goal defeat, 11-6, in their opening game on Tuesday.
Halligan said she was expecting a physical game against the hot Italian side.
“Italy are always fun, it’s always a rough game but it will be a good chance for us to have a tough game before the second half of the tournament,” Halligan said.
WAIS scholarship pair Zoe Arancini and Glencora McGhie are both members of the Stingers’ World League squad.
-WaterPoloAus
