WATER POLO: The opening game of the FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament in Japan has seen Australia’s Mens team suffer a narrow defeat to the USA, 6-8.

It was a close first game to kick start the Tournament, with both sides remaining scoreless in the first quarter.  The Aussies were in it until the dying seconds, but in the end the USA managed to just get over the top.

Aussie Goal Keeper Joel Dennerley admitted the result was not how the side had hope to kick off the World League Qualifier.

“It was not the way we would like to have started the tournament. We like to focus on defence and there were some good patches in that and we were in it right until the end, so hopefully we'll continue with each game," said the London Olympian.

Australian Men’s Head Coach Elvis Fatovic said that both teams came out strong defensively.

“It was a very tough game, I think both teams played better defensively then offensively especially in the first half where the result was 2-1 (at half time).

“Most important thing for us is our extra man. We were passive, very static and we didn’t create good opportunity for the shooter and that is something we have to improve on in the next few days,” he said.

Australia are vying for a spot in the FINA World League Super Final that will take place from 21 June in Huizhou, China.

The Aussies will face 2016 Olympic Games host nation Brazil tomorrow.  It will be a good test for the squad as they will need to face Brazil in game one of the preliminary rounds at the Rio Olympics.

Match Stats

AUS v USA 

Full Time: USA 8 d AUS 6
Quarter Time Scores: AUS-USA: 0-0; 1-2; 1-3; 4-3
Extra man for: 4/13
Extra man against: 5/8

AUS start list: James Stanton-French, Richie Campbell, George Ford, Johnno Cotterill, Nathan Power, Jarrod Gilchrist, Aidan Roach, Tyler Martin, Joel Swift, Mitchell Emery, Rhys Howden, Lachlan Edwards, Joel Dennerley.

AUS scorers: Cotterill (2), Campbell (1), Power (1), Gilchrist (1), Swift (1).

Water polo Australia