WATER POLO: The Australian women's water polo team, the Aussie Stingers, have tasted their first defeat of 2013, going down to London Olympic silver medallists Spain 10-9 in their second pool game of the FINA World League Super Finals in Beijing, China.

The Stingers led 8-7 at the final break and were on track to make it two wins from two to start the tournament, before a 3-1 final quarter from Spain put an end to the Aussie charge.

Nicola Zagame kept alive Australia's hopes scoring with 1:37 left on the clock to make it 10-9. She then had a chance to equalise from centre forward in the dying seconds, but lost possession and Spain were able to hold on for the victory.

Zagame was disappointed with the end result and believed the team had to improve their communication and team play under pressure if they were to qualify for the medal games.

“We were one for one for most of the match. We had to come back and go in front. They scored a few in the final quarter and we couldn’t get it back,” Zagame said.

“Our team was a little bit frantic and we communicated too much. We didn’t know who should do what. We will be clear and precise in future games.”

Goals were traded in the first quarter with Spain netting first through Lorena Miranda on extra. Glencora Ralph responded on counter, while Spanish captain Jennifer Pareja converted a penalty and Rowena Webster powered home on extra to leave it at 2-2.

Zagame sent Australia ahead early in the second, but Anni Espar levelled on extra. Ralph gained her second with a penalty for another Australian lead, only for Spain to strike back through two goals to Espar either side of a penalty to Pareja.

Australia responded through a fast series of passes that reached captain Bronwen Knox on the hand at centre forward. She turned and scored with two seconds left to trail 6-5 at the main break.

Roser Tarrago opened the third period for Spain from the top for 7-5. Two and a half minutes later Webster scored from deep left and after an Australian timeout, Knox converted on extra-man attack for 7-7, scoring a donut over the goalkeeper’s head from point blank range.

Webster then gave the Aussie Stingers an 8-7 lead at 1:46 to close the period’s scoring.

Spain equalized at 8-8 soon into the fourth through Carmen Garcia and when Espar landed her fourth with a bouncer from six metres and Garcia netted a second two minutes after her first to make it 10-8, the game was Spain’s for the taking.

Zagame’s strike to make it 10-9 gave the Stingers some hope, but they could not find the equaliser as Spain held on and moved to two from two to head Group B. Webster finished the game with three goals, while Zagame, Knox and Ralph all ended with doubles.

Coach Greg McFadden was concerned about the final quarter lapse and said the team would have to pick up their intensity over the remaining matches.

“We were up. It was dumb play and you don’t know what the referees will call. It makes it tougher for us and we will have to work harder. We want to win the tournament,” McFadden said.

The Stingers now play Italy in their third and final round robin match, ahead of the quarterfinals starting on Tuesday.

Water Polo Australia