WATER POLO: The Australian men's water polo team have ridden on the back of a stunning five-goal third quarter to defeat Brazil 13-10 in the opening preliminary round game of the FINA World League Intercontinental tournament in Corona del Mar, California.
The Australians trailed Brazil 6-7 at half time before a 5-1 third term goal scoring barrage, some deft extra man attack and several quality steals in defence set up a deserved victory.
London Olympian Johnno Cotterill was brilliant for Australia, especially in extra man, netting five goals and threatening all over the pool. Cotterill’s Olympic teammates Richie Campbell and AJ Roach scored a pair of goals each, as did centre-forward Joel Swift.
In the end Australia were too strong across the pool, forcing the eventual exclusion from the game of a number of Brazilian players as well as some panicked attack as the game began to slip away.
The Brazilians had been strong in the middle of the first half, which was punctuated by huge momentum swings, each team holding the ascendancy and embarking on goal scoring runs several times. Australia led 2-0, trailed 5-2, levelled the scores at 6-all and then trailed 7-6 at the main break.
Australia scored the first three goals of the third quarter and when Swift nailed a miraculous backhand with less than a second on the shot clock towards the end of the term to make it 10-8, Australia were well on top.
The final period ended at 2-2 but by that time the Australians had assumed control and the Brazilians were desperately trying to stay within a few goals.
Despite the three goal winning margin Cotterill was pragmatic about his side’s performance and already looking forward to a tough next few days.
“It was a good to start the tournament with a win, albeit we made it hard on ourselves through poor execution and basic handling errors,” Cotterill said
“We got better though and put together some good periods of play and it was good to see a strong defensive second half that we won 7-3.
“Our extra (man) attack was working well at times and was the catalyst for the victory.
“Tomorrow will another physical game against Kazakhstan and it will be important to prepare properly.”
While the action was hot in the pool, the battle between Brazil’s legendary mentor Ratko Rudic and his understudy on Croatia’s gold medal winning London Olympic Games team, Australian coach Elvis Fatovic, was enthralling with Rudic yellow carded and Fatovic calm under pressure.
Fatovic said the Brazilians are a much-improved team having spent a lot of time together in recent months under the guidance of master coach Rudic.
“We knew the first game will be tough as we were playing against an opponent that has been together for the last two months in Brazil and Europe,” Fatovic said.
“They are stronger than before with the addition of Felipe Perrone.”
Once again, Fatovic’s focus on defence proved the difference but he said his team had room to improve.
“We didn't adapt quickly enough to the refereeing style for the first two quarters, both defensively and offensively,” Fatovic said.
“When we started to play good defence the result started to come out way. This is the first game and we must improve in some areas, especially in attack. We will also need to adapt quicker to the game and referees.”
Australia’s next game is against Kazakhstan on Wednesday at 1230pm AEST
Event: FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament
Game #: 1
Opponent: Brazil
Australia: James Stanton-French (GK), Richard Campbell, George Ford, Johnno Cotterill, Nathan Power, Jarrod Gilchrist, Aidan Roach, Lachlan Edwards, Joel
Swift, Tyler Martin, Rhys Howden, Billy Miller, James Clark (GK)
Result: Australia 13 bt Brazil 10
Quarters: 2-3, 4-4, 5-1, 2-2
X Man for: Australia scored 8 from 13 opportunities
X Man against: Brazil scored 3 from 4 opportunities
AUS scorers: J Cotterill 5, A Roach 2, J Swift 2, R Campbell 2, N Power, J Gilchrist
Next Game: Australia will play Kazakhstan on Tuesday April 1 at 1230pm EST
WATER POLO AUSTRALIA
