WATER POLO: A controlled 12-6 victory over host nation Kazakhstan has seen the Australian men’s water polo team finish fifth overall at the FINA World Cup in Almaty.
The game was the Sharks second match up with the hosts for the tournament, after they had met in the first game, which the Aussies won 11-8.
London Olympian Johnno Cotterill was the top scorer for the Sharks with a four goal haul, while fellow Olympians Aidan Roach and Aaron Younger supported with three goals.
Unlike their first meeting for the tournament, where the Aussies leapt out to a strong lead, it was a close start to the game with both sides playing tight defence for the score to be locked at 1-1 at the first break.
Quick hands and decisive attack went to benefit the Aussies in the second quarter as they found a plethora of scoring opportunities to take a 6-3 lead at half time.
It was a similar story in the third term as the Aussies again extended their lead to 10-5, before a further two goals in the final period consolidated the win for the Sharks, and fifth place for the tournament.
Aussie Sharks captain Richie Campbell said they expected a tough game, but was pleased with the team’s determination to claim the win.
“Like the first game against Kazakhstan it was always going to be difficult, and being our last game it was always going to be mentally testing,” Campbell said.
“It was good to see the team focused and dedicated, even though we were playing for fifth and sixth place.
“We played a solid defensive game, although found it hard to execute our opportunities, but all in all a good effort to finish off our international season and the tournament.”
Serbia took the gold in a penalty shoot-out with Hungary 11-9. Croatia beat USA 8-6.
The Aussie Sharks, who drew with eventual silver medallists Hungary in the pool matches, will arrive back in Australia on Tuesday August 26.
Aussie Sharks:
James Clark, Richie Campbell (c), George Ford, Johnno Cotterill, Nathan Power, Jarrod Gilchrist, AJ Roach, Aaron Younger, Lachlan Edwards, Tyler Martin, Mitch Emery, Blake Edwards, James Stanton-French
Result: AUS 12 bt KAZ 6
X Man For: Australia scored 3 from 7 opportunities
X Man Against: Kazakhstan scored 2 from 10 opportunities and 1 from 1 penalties
AUS Scorers: J Cotterill 4, A Roach 3, A Younger 3, J Gilchrist, M Emery
South Africa no match for Australia at World Cup
The Australian men’s water polo team have overcome South Africa with a strong 13-2 victory on day five of the FINA World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Jarrod Gilchrist provided a notable performance, as he put three shots in the back of the net on the Sharks road to victory, one of which was the opening goal of the game.
The Sharks used the game to test differing combinations in the water ahead of their final game against Kazakhstan. Youngsters George Ford and Lachlan Edwards were the beneficiaries of this with robust Aussie offence helping both to join the scorers list.
It was a slightly slow start for the Sharks as they led 4-2 at the first break. They increased the lead to 7-2 come half time, with their defensive effort successfully preventing South Africa from scoring.
The third stanza saw the Aussies jump a further four goals ahead, before a final term haul of three goals ensured the win was beyond doubt.
Australian assistant coach Paul Oberman said today’s game was important ahead of the teams final game tomorrow.
“It was a great opportunity today for us to test the depth of the squad,” Oberman said.
“Plenty of pool time was shared mongst the group with a number of athletes showing they belong in the squad and are ready for more water time in our 5 v 6 game against Kazakhstan tomorrow.
Sharks captain Richie Campbell said the team’s defence was very pleasing in this game.
“We were a bit slow at the start, but pulled together for a solid three quarters,” Campbell said.
“It was a good defensive effort from our side to keep them scoreless for three quarters of the game.”
Australia will next play Kazakhstan in their final game, the playoff for fifth and sixth position.
Result: AUS 13 bt RSA 2
Quarters: 4-2, 3-0, 4-0, 2-0
X Man For: Australia scored 4 from 7 opportunities
X Man Against: South Africa scored 0 from 3 opportunities and 0 from 1 penalties
AUS Scorers: J gilchrist 3, J Cotterill 2, G Ford 2, A Roach 2, N Power, L Edwards, T Martin, M Emery
Water Polo Australia
Sharks beaten by USA in penalty shootout
A gripping quarter final has seen the Australian men’s water polo team, the Aussie Sharks, defeated by the USA 11-9 in a penalty shootout at the FINA World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Sharks head coach Elvis Fatovic had earmarked the quarter final as the most important game for the Aussies from the outset of the competition, and the Sharks fought hard for victory, only falling at the final hurdle.
It was a slow start to the game for the Aussies who found themselves trailing by two goals early in the first quarter, before rallying hard to fight back to close the gap to 3-2 at the break.
An improved second term saw the Sharks draw equal with the USA, with the difference between the two sides intensity negligible, with the scores locked at 4-4 come half time.
The third stanza saw the USA again regain control of the game thanks to two late goals to be leading 7-5 at the final exchange. Australia had other ideas in the final period, again drawing equal with the USA to send the game to a penalty shoot out.
While Australia had put in the effort to send the game to penalties, they were unable to capitalise with their first two shots. Aaron Younger hit the cross bar, while captain Richie Campbell uncharacteristically sent his shot over the top.
Aidan Roach and Tyler Martin both managed to score, while goalkeeper James Stanton saved one of the USA’s attempts, however it was too little too late for the Sharks.
Result: USA 11 bt AUS 9
Quarters: 3-2, 1-2, 3-1, 1-2 (4-2 penalties)
X Man For: Australia scored 4 from 9 opportunities
X Man Against: USA scored 6 from 15 opportunities
AUS Scorers: J Cotterill 2, T Martin 2, R Campbell, J Gilchrist, A Younger, , B Edwards, A Roach
Draw with Hungary and USA next target
WATER POLO: A nail biting game between the Australian men’s water polo team and Hungary has taken place on day three of the FINA World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with the two sides playing out an 8-8 draw.
The Sharks played solid defence against a side with a reputable offensive game, which they were then able to convert into counter attacking opportunities.
A tough start in the first quarter set precedent for the remainder of the game as both sides managed just two goals each for the scores to be even at the first break.
By half time he status quo remained, with the teams still locked on the same score, albeit both three goals up at 5-5.
At this point in the game, the Sharks had looked to the experienced guard of captain Richie Campbell as well as Olympians Aidan Roach, Johnno Cotterill and Aaron Younger to score.
The third stanza looked to be the game changer for the Sharks as they fought hard to emerge the first clear leaders, to be ahead 8-6 at the final break.
Consistent with the opening half, the game tightened up in the final quarter, with Hungary fighting hard to peg pack the deficit, while holding the Aussies scoreless bringing the game to a draw at the final whistle.
Australian head coach Elvis Fatovic said the team again bettered their performance, before casting an eye to their next game in the quarter finals.
“Yesterday I said we played better than the day before, and today we played better again,” Fatovic said.
“Today our improved game gave us a good result against one of the best teams in the world.
“Our next game is the most important one of the tournament and we will again be playing a strong team, the USA.”
The Aussie Sharks next face the USA in the quarter finals. The game will be played at 5.40pm AEST, with live streaming available on FINATV - http://livemanager.eurovision.edgesuite.net/fina/site/index.html
Result: AUS 8 Drew HUN 8
Quarters: 2-2, 3-3, 3-1, 0-2
X Man For: Australia scored 3 from 5 opportunities and 1 from 1 penalties
X Man Against: Hungary scored 5 from 9 opportunities
AUS Scorers: A Younger 3, R Campbell 2, J Cotterill, A Roach, B Edwards
Water Polo Australia
Game 2 - Croatia contain Australia at World Cup
WATER POLO: Following a win in their opening game, the Australian men’s water polo team have come up short against European powerhouse Croatia in a 6-3 defeat at the FINA World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
A solid defensive game kept the scores tight throughout the first half, however the Aussies struggled to convert scoring opportunities in offence, denying themselves an early lead.
London Olympians Aidan Roach and Richie Campbell both scored for Australia, however poor execution in extra man left the Sharks chasing down the Croatians over the second half of the game.
Croatia started on the front foot to be leading 1-0 at the end of the first quarter, before Australia replied with Campbell shooting a penalty goal in the second term for the scores to be locked 1-1 at half time.
The third stanza was the watershed for Croatia, as they outscored the Sharks 3-1 to be leading 4-2 at the final exchange.
Roach scored his second for the game half way through the final quarter, however Croatia had done their damage in the penultimate period of play, securing the win.
Sharks captain Richie Campbell said he was pleased to slow Croatia’s scoring rate, although noted that the Aussies offence would need to improve.
“I was pleased we were able to limit there scoring in the first half through strong communicated defence,” Campbell said.
“However our set and especially extra man attack was our weakness. We created numerous opportunities but were unable to execute.”
The Sharks next game will be against strong European nation Hungary. The game will be played at 7pm AEST with live streaming available on FINATV.
Result: CRO 6 bt AUS 3
Quarters: 1-0, 0-1, 3-1, 2-1
X Man For: Australia scored 1 from 10 opportunities and 1 from 1 penalties
X Man Against: Croatia scored 3 from 9 opportunities
AUS Scorers: A Roach 2, R Campbell
Water Polo Australia
Game 1 - Aussie men beat Kazakhstan at water polo World Cup
WATER POLO: Standout performances from captain Richie Campbell and Aaron Younger have helped the Australian men’s water polo team, the Aussie Sharks, begin their FINA World Cup campaign with an 11-8 win over host nation Kazakhstan in Almaty.
Campbell was the first man to strike for the Aussies as he put away three goals for the game, while Younger put in a strong second half to score four goals, the final two of those the game breakers for the Sharks.
The opening quarter was a strong period of play for the Aussies who led 3-1 at the first break. A crucial penalty opened the door for Kazakhstan to come within one goal of the lead in the second term, the score 5-4 at half time.
Two quick goals gave the Aussies breathing space in the third stanza, however Kazakhstan responded to see the one goal gap restored, 8-7 in the Sharks favour at the final exchange.
Campbell and Younger combined to put Australia ahead in the fourth quarter, with strong defence handing the Aussies the eventual victory.
Australian head coach Elvis Fatovic said it was an important win after a long break from competition for the Sharks.
“We expected to have a tough game after a two month break since our last game,” Fatovic said.
“We need to improve areas of our defence, however to win the first game of the competition is important, and it was a difficult win today against the home nation who had a supportive crowd behind them.”
The Sharks will now take on European powerhouse Croatia in their second game, with the swim off set for 8.20pm AEST on Wednesday August 20. Live streaming of the game will be available on FINA TV.
Aussie Sharks: James Clark, Richie Campbell (c), George Ford, Johnno Cotterill, Nathan Power, Jarrod Gilchrist, AJ Roach, Aaron Younger, Lachlan Edwards, Tyler Martin, Mitch Emery, Blake Edwards, James Stanton-French
Result: AUS 11 bt KAZ 8
Quarters: 3-1, 1-2, 4-4, 3-1
X Man For: Australia scored 3 from 6 opportunities
X Man Against: Kazakhstan scored 3 from 6 opportunities and 1 from 1 penalties
AUS Scorers: A Younger 4, R Campbell 3, G Ford, A Roach, J Gilchrist, L Edwards
Water Polo Australia
