The Australian men's water polo team have kept their Olympic preparations on track, remaining undefeated at the FINA World League in Auckland while the women's team opened their campaign with a 16-5 win over New Zealand.
The Australian men's water polo team have kept their Olympic preparations on track, remaining undefeated at the FINA World League in Auckland while the women's team opened their campaign with a 16-5 win over New Zealand.
The male Sharks posted an 11-7 win over Kazakhstan on Wednesday, after Monday's 22-4 thumping of New Zealand.
The Sharks got off to a slow start, trailing Kazakhstan 4-2 at quarter-time and 5-4 at the main break before lifting the intensity in the second half to come away with the victory.
Australian goalkeeper Luke Quinlivan said the Kazakhs came into the game with a point to prove.
"After having lost their first two games against China and Japan, Kazakhstan came out very hard," Quinlivan said.
"But we knew if we stuck with our game-plan it would eventually pay off."
The men have two games remaining in the World League's first leg, with matches against China on Thursday and Japan, who have also won their opening two fixtures, on Friday.
The Australian Stingers women’s water polo team thrashed Trans Tasman rivals New Zealand 16-5 in their opening match of the Asia/Oceania preliminary round of the FINA World League in Auckland.
The world number two Stingers got out to a blistering start, leading 6-0 at the first break, 10-0 at halftime and 14-1 at three quarter time before taking the foot off the pedal in the last term.
Australian coach Greg McFadden was left in two minds about his team’s performance.
“For three quarters we played good clinical water polo and the results were there to see,” McFadden said.
“In the last quarter the girls lost concentration. We must learn to be more ruthless in these situations.”
Co-captain and dual Olympian Kate Gynther was the top scorer for the Australians with four goals.
The Stingers have games remaining in Auckland against China and Japan with the clash on Friday with world number three China expected to be the highlight.
Standings from the Auckland leg will be combined with next week’s Sydney round with the top two teams progressing to the final eight for the World League Super Finals in Tianjin, China from June 14-19. The men's World League Super Finals will be held in Florence, Italy from June 21-26.
AAP with Australian Water Polo Inc.
