The Australian women’s water polo team has begun their preparation for the FINA World League Super Final in the best way possible, defeating Brazil 14-4 in the pre-event Kunshan Cup in Kunshan,China.
Two WAIS athletes took to the water for Australia, with Glencora McGhie joined by Zoe Arancini in the green and gold.
Leading theoffence with three goals apiece were NSW residents Hannah Buckling and Nicola Zagame as well as South Australia’s Chloe Barr, as the Stingers produced the result after an eleventh hour schedule change saw their opening game moved forward from 6pm to 4.30pm local time.
Australia assumed control of the game from the get go, and their lead was never troubled by the Brazilians, who were held scoreless by the Aussie defence for the entirety of the second half.
Western Australia’s Zoe Arancini kicked off proceedings for the Stingers to score early in the first half, with her efforts supported by fellow Western Australian Glencora McGhie, while Zagame converted twice, for the Stingers to be leading 4-2 at the first break.
A commanding middle half of the game enabled the Stingers to jump ahead 7-4 at half time, the lead growing to 10-4 by the end of the penultimate stanza. A four-goal haul in the final term put Australia’s victory beyond doubt.
Although pleasing to win their opening game on tour in China, Barr was quick to reaffirm that the team still had plenty to work to do ahead of next week’s world league finals, saying defence was still an area the team hoped to improve.
“We had a really strong start and quickly moved three goals ahead in the opening few minutes and never really looked back from that point,” Barr said.
“We focused on defence and practised our zoning, however we still have more to work on before our second game against Canada tomorrow. Particularly we need to focus being a little more adaptable to the way we approach the game.”
-WaterPoloAus
