The WAIS men’s water polo team has secured a bronze medal from the 2011 NTC Challenge in Newcastle after defeating the Japanese National team 8-6 in the third place medal play-off today.
An earlier loss to the 11th ranked Japan outfit had cost the WAIS team a spot in the gold medal play-off and robbed the side of its opportunity to defend the NTC crown it claimed in 2010, but coach Paul Oberman was pleased with his side’s ability to bounce back and show its competitive instinct.
“We won the bronze and defeated the world ranked number 11, Japan. Although we did have our customary lapse in concentration, this time we were able to react quicker and compose ourselves before it was too late,” Oberman said. “We remained in control for most of the game and dictated the speed, and I’m pleased with the result and the effort from the lads.”
The win was set up by a dominant first half – in which WAIS outscored Japan six goals to two – before Japan mounted a fightback in the third and fourth terms to narrow the final score at 8-6.
Australian Sharks representative Tim Cleland netted three times for WAIS, whilst doubles to Aaron Younger and Joel Swift were assisted by a single to James Fannon.
The NTC Challenge starts what will be a busy summer schedule for men’s water polo, with; Tim Cleland, Jamie Beadsworth, Aaron Younger and Joel Swift all invited to stay in Sydney to attend a training camp with the Japanese National Team, whilst the Tom Hoad Cup in Perth is also on the near horizon.
In January, the Aussie Sharks will invite 16-18 players to a training camp with the US National Team prior to the Pan Pacific Championships, where Australia will field two teams, following which the men’s London Olympic Squad will be trimmed to 16.
The WAIS team also secured victories over the VIS, QAS, the New Zealand men’s national team and a composite Barbarians outfit in Newcastle, losing just two matches against NSWIS and Japan in the round stages.
