WATER POLO: The Australian men’s water polo team have taken back to back wins against Japan with a convincing 14-7 score line over the visitors last night.
After a closely fought battle in game one, the Aussies were determined to improve their score for the second test match. But a fit Japanese outfit didn’t provide much opportunity for the Aussies in the first half.
There was one point in it at the first quarter time (4-3) and while the Aussies made strong in attacking and defence in the second quarter the scores remained close at half time with the Aussies maintaining a narrow 7-4 lead.
It was the last half where the Sharks showed no mercy with standout goal scorers from the game William Miller with five, Joe Kayes with four and Johnno Cotterill with three.
Watching from the sidelines was fellow Sharks team mate and dual Olympian Richie Campbell, who is recovering from surgery and will miss this test series. Campbell said the Aussies did well to get the win over a fit Japanese side.
“I think we played really, I think they (the Sharks) are getting used to the style that the Japanese are playing both in attack and defence.
“Japan plays a different style of game, they are extremely fit and it’s good for our guys to match up against that cause you’re not going to come up against that very often. It’s good to train against different style of play,” said Campbell.
The Sharks are also in training camp in Sutherland, an important part of their Rio 2016 planning.
The team will be back together later next month as part of three test match series against a top five nation Italy. The feature game will take place at Water Polo by the Sea to be held in Sydney Harbour this year at Campbell’s Cove.
The Aussies took out the first test match against Japan 13-9, in the first time since the World Championships that the squad have played together.
After a solid opening goal from Aussie Captain Rhys Howden, the first quarter was a closely fought battle with Australia taking a narrow 6-5 lead at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter was a tight battle with only one goal scored by Japan to lock scores 6-6 at half time. Scores were again locked at the end of third quarter 8-8 and it all came down to the final quarter where Australia made their move.
Four goals in the final quarter secured the tough win for the home side, which Coach Fatovic said it was good to get the win against a very fit Japanese team.
“It’s very hard to play against Japan who play completely different against anyone else in the world… it was little bit demanding for us and we also without four very important players.
“This camp is good for us because all other players who usually have a less opportunity they can prove what they can bring to our team,” he said.
AUS v JPN – Game 3, Monday 30 November 5:00pm (AEDST), Sutherland Aquatic Centre
Water Polo Australia
