After leading for much of the match, Australia allowed the world No 2 USA through for a 12-11 victory in the final match of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League semifinals at Los Alamitos, California.

The loss meant Australia finished third behind the USA and Canada with all three nations progressing to the Super Finals against the top three European teams in Cosenza, Italy on July 26-30.

Captain Kate Gynther, the tournament’s leading goal-scorer, netted three more as the Aussies led 6-5 at halftime. They could have gone into the final quarter 10-9 ahead if they hadn’t let through a goal 16 seconds from the buzzer.

The USA eventually took the game with a goal 37 seconds from time.

Technically, the Aussies were strong with five conversions from five on extra while defending five from eight.

Head coach Greg McFadden sat out leading players Mel Rippon and Patrice O’Neill as part of his rotation system in the lead-up to the Super Finals and the World Cup next month in China.

“It was a hard-fought game. Poor defence at crucial times let us down. We led for most of the game and after fighting for our own goals we gave up too many easy goals,” McFadden said.

He named Rebecca Rippon as Australia’s most valuable player of the tournament.

The team now travels to Montreal, Canada for a training camp with the national team before departing for the Super Finals in Italy.

Australian Water Polo