Today is the day second for women’s water polo with teams jockeying for position in their groups, which will be finalised on Thursday.
In Group A, Netherlands claimed the scalp of Kazakhstan 27-4. USA outplayed Brazil 21-5.
In Group B, China survived a penalty shootout, beating France 11-10 in sudden-death penalty shootout after the match was tied at 6-6. Spain made short work of Greece with an incredible showing for 16-8 and probable top spot in the group.
In Group C, Australia headed New Zealand 13-6 and Hungary took top spot in the group with a huge 39-2 victory over Singapore.
In Group D, Canada gained a second win, downing Great Britain 20-5. Italy bounced South Africa 25-3.
Match 10. Group B, Spain 16 Greece 7
Spain blitzed Greece, much like in the Europeans last month with an eight-goal differential. It was a sublime effort after a sluggish start and left many people stunned, not the least head coach Miki Oca who was near speechless after the match.
Greece started well and took the 1-0 and 2-1 leads with Spain having to play catch-up twice by the quarter buzzer.
Bea Ortiz, who scored the opener, also opened the second quarter, this time from the penalty line. Ortiz score her second and this goals as Spain eased out to 5-2.Both goals were from the penalty line. Greek captain Margarita Plevritou launched a missile from the top right but the elation was nullified by Spanish captain Maica Garcia who scored identical centre-forward backhand goals for 7-3. Vasiliki Plevritou converted extra 14 seconds from halftime for 7-4 down.
Anni Espar opened the second quarter with her second goal, firing in a lob on extra from deep left three minutes in. Ortiz snapped in a fourth at 2:27 and Isabel Piralkova followed suit on the next attack and suddenly the match was quickly ebbing away from Greece at 10-4. Eleftheria Plevritou — the third sister — converted the penalty for 10-5. However, Judith Forca, quiet on the scoring front, scored from the top right. Eirini Ninou and Eleftheria Plevritou were in the scoring zone late in the period for 11-7.
Spain scored five straight and Eleni Xenaki responded in the last minute and the margin was a huge eight goals. Forca grabbed another and Garcia made it three for her.
Match Heroes
Ortiz with four and Garcia with three for Spain. Eleftheria Plevritou, Ninou and Xenaki scored two each for Greece. Of the goalkeepers, Martina Terre saved 11 for Spain and Ioanna Stamatopoulou 12 for Greece.
Turning Point
Coming from 2-1 down to 7-3 ahead in the second quarter was just magical.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain went six from nine of extra and defended a magnificent 11 of 14.
Bottom Line
Spain is here for gold, nothing less. Greece was looking for redemption but could not do it tonight.
What They Said
Miki Oca (ESP) — Head Coach
On why his team was so good tonight:
“I don’t know. We were very, very good in defence this match. In the second and third period. We find also, many times the goal of Greece today. I don’t know. We play a good game and good defence today.”
Anni Espar (ESP) — Two Goals
On winning with what seemed ease:
“It wasn’t the best start by us. We started a bit slow but once we started getting our goals in offence, I think everything worked out.”
Why did the team look so in-synch:
“After playing against them in the Europeans and having a good win, we did not relax thinking it would be a different game. We were very strong and that is very important. We had good man down because we got lots of kickouts and played very well and yes, then being patient in offence.”
Margarita Plevritou (GRE) — Captain/Scorer
On the toughness of the match:
“We knew it would be a tough game and we respect Spain so much and it is one of the best teams and they prove that in all the championships they have been. We knew that. We didn’t concentrate. I’m not sure. We didn’t show what we can do.”
On any similarity to last month’s European Championships — 13-5 loss in the semifinals:
“It’s something that really makes me feel sad. We played against Spain in European game and this was a lot similar, but this is not the picture of my team that we have been trying to do so it is something we have to think about and change a lot of things.”
On being able to forget about this result and move on:
“Not forget exactly but change things to be where we want to be, so we have to leave it behind us and change.”
Match 16. Group A, Brazil 5 United States of America 21
USA collected its second win and now just needs to sweep Kazakhstan to go directly to the quarterfinals.
USA started with a penalty and Brazil responded with a backhand. USA scored from centre forward and Brazil blasted from the top — second goal for Leticia Belorio. This looked like it could get very interesting. However, the steamroller USA game was brought out from the shed and it was 6-2 at the first break and 12-2 inside the final two minutes. Samantha Ferreira scored from top right and soon after, USA took a timeout to set up captain Maggie Steffens to drag down a cross pass on the left post on extra, five seconds from halftime. It was Steffens’ fifth goal.
Tara Prentice put away her third to start the third period with Maddie Musselman repeating the feat — both on counter. USA scored twice more to close the period at 17-3.
Jordan Raney opened the fourth and Jewel Roemer was not far behind. Brazil broke the drought with a penalty strike at 3:03 and 19-4 thanks to Debora Silva. Brazil was not done there and two USA goals later, Jeniffer Cavalvante finished an extra-man play for 21-5.
Match Heroes
Steffens with her bag of five was the star while Jovana Sekulic, Musselman and Prentice were not far behind.
Turning Point
From 2-2 it was all downhill for Brazil and USA was on a rail car to the station.
Stats Don’t Lie
USA was perfect on extra-man attack with five from five and Brazil converted one from two.
Bottom Line
USA has the team to go all the way, especially after downing Netherlands on day one. Brazil has the daunting task of playing Netherlands.
Match 15. Group A, Netherlands 27 Kazakhstan 4
World champion Netherlands was always going win this encounter and showed a mountain of skill, bewildering Kazakhstan at times. However, there were plenty of other chances that did not come off. Once these creases are ironed out, the Dutch will be dangerous come the second week. There were se incredible individual skills, but more should be unveiled in coming matches.
The first quarter was 6-0, and it went to 7-0 at the top of the second quarter before Anna Novikova opened Kazakhstan’s scoring with a lob from deep left. Kitty Lynn Joustra sent in two more off cross passes to the centre-forward position for her third and Maartje Keuning scored her second with a pop shot at two metres for 10-1 by the long break.
Anastassiya Mirshina started a long-shot competition when she shot from nine metres. Lola Moolhuijzen replied from seven metre; Vivian Sevenich spun at centre forward and backhanded for 12-2. Then Anastassiya Tsoy shot and scored from halfway for Kazakhstan’s third goal. Joustra scored her fourth and fifth as the Dutch went to 16-3. Tsoy scored another and Novikova had her penalty attempt stopped. Marit van der Weijden scored the last goal of the period for 18-4, her second inside two minutes.
Joustra scored two more in the fourth for seven goals as the score stretched to 23-4 and eventually to 27-4.
Match Heroes
Joustra with her huge bundle of goals. Tsoy’s pair for Kazakhstan was the best.
Turning Point
With a 7-0 start, Netherlands was unstoppable.
Stats Don’t Lie
Netherlands converted four from eight on extra to Kazakhstan’s one from five. The shooting percentage was 71 to 16 per cent.
Bottom Line
The Dutch now have a first win after the loss to the USA and now need to defeat Brazil for second spot in the group.
What They Said
Lieke Rogge (NED) — Goal Scorer
On the clash being preparation for the next match:
“It was a game we had to win and we knew to do that. It was still a bit of a physical match. They have strong girls. It’s not easy to play but all the girls played and everybody scored? (Bridgette Sleeking was the only field player not to score). Almost all the girls, then. That’s a good thing.”
On being hesitant in the first quarter:
“I don’t think our focus was there when it had to be . We did OK for the rest of the match, so it was fine.”
Viktoriya Khritankova (KAZ) — Captain
On playing the world champion:
“Netherlands is the top team. We did our best to win but, they are the world champions. Basically, the coaches will explain everything about this game. They (Netherlands) are the best and we want to learn from the best and perhaps implement things in the next games.”
Match 14. Group D, Italy 25 South Africa 3
Italy has set itself up for the vital table-topping clash with Canada on Thursday with a resounding victory over South Africa. This goes with the first-day 22-10 win over Great Britain.
Italy had the first period 6-1 with South Africa’s goal coming from Shakira January from the top on extra at 2-1.
Italy moved through to 8-1 in the second quarter, gifting a penalty goal to Ruby Versfeld at 8-2 and then sending in three more before halftime — 11-2. Sofia Giustini led scorers with three by the long break, doubling her tally in Doha.
Italy was solid in the third and gave up an extra-player goal at 15-3. Claudia Marletta converted a penalty foul and went on counter for consecutive goals in the final minute., giving her three for the period.
Italy kept a clean sheet in the fourth period, progressing the score to 25-3.
Match Heroes
Giustini with five from seven with Marletta and Bianconi with four apiece. Ruby Versfeld was happy with her two goals for South Africa.
Turning Point
All Italy, all the way.
Stats Don’t Lie
Italy went four from four on extra-player attack to South Africa’s two from eight. Italy was 69 to 14 per cent on shooting.
Bottom Line
Italy is now ready to take on Canada for a quarterfinal berth. South Africa is ready for Great Britain for third spot.
What They Said
Roberta Bianconi (ITA) — Four Goals
On playing South Africa:
“We knew that this game would be easy because of South Africa, but before the game we tried to fix a few things before (Thursday’s clash with) Canada with good training; put the new mentality to prepare better for the next game. I think we did it. Sometimes it is difficult to keep the concentration from the beginning until the end but I think we did a good job and that’s what we had to do.”
Shakira January (RSA) — Goal Scorer
On playing a top team like Italy:
“It was really tough but we like to play against the bigger teams, the stronger teams. As much as they get the goals against us, it’s a learning opportunity, learning what they do to score, or different things we should change, or our defence and stuff. That game was actually really good. Our previous game we were feeling a little shaky but we came out positive, kept the vibes going and yeah, we really enjoyed it. Got a few goals, which was nice.
On playing Great Britain for third in the group on Thursday:
“The next game is our biggest one. It’s nice to have these two games, kind of warm up and get into it.”
Match 12. Group C, Singapore 2 Hungary 39
Singapore once again found out what it is like to play one of the top-tier teams in women’s water polo. On Sunday it was a 32-1 loss to Australia and today it was the might of Hungary being brought to bear.
There was no joy in the first half with Hungary going 11-0 and 7-0. The one big chance for Singapore was Jingxuan Yap’s chance on a penalty, spraying the ball wide in the dying seconds of the half. The best part was the perfect build-up to the foul being called. Already nine Hungarians had made the scoresheet with Greta Gurisatti the highest scorer at four. By this stage, Hungary was shooting at 86 per cent to Singapore’s nil.
Hungary went to 21-0 before Yap (above) had one shot tipped over the backline and the next finding the net at 5:46 from the same left-hand-catch position. Singapore was using the time to deny Hungary long exposure to the ball, which kept the high-soring down. Hungary showed respect and played strongly throughout. Yap scored her second as she drove to the centre, received a perfect pass and she pushed it into the goal at 2:33 in the third. The period finished at 29-2
Hungary kept racing up the pool and finished at 39-2 with the 10-0 final quarter.
Match Heroes
All Hungary’s players scored with Zsuzsanna Mate the last inside the final minute. Gurisatti and Natasa Rybanska (above) had six goals apiece while three others had five. Yap, with her two, kept the Singapore desire pumping.
Turning Point
There was none.
Stats Don’t Lie
Just fast breaks by Hungary, really, with 13 goals from 14 attempts. The extra count was three from four for Hungary and one from four Singapore’s way. The 87 per cent shooting rate far exceeded Singapore’s 11.
Bottom Line
Hungary is keen to take on Australia in the third match and Singapore will take on New Zealand.
What They Said
Krisztina Garda (HUN) — Goal Scorer
On the mental approach to playing Singapore:
“Mentally it was really tough. We already knew Singapore was not the level like, for example, Australia, our next opponent, so it was a good training to try and prepare for it. Mentally, I think they could try what they could do. When we got to the two (Singapore) goals, I think we lost a little bit of concentration. For them, I think it was OK.”
Jingxuan Yap (SGP) — Two Goals
On scoring twice against Hungary:
“It was great to score goals against the Olympic Games previous bronze medallist and I’m very honoured to be able to score them and thankful to my team-mates for creating the opportunities for me to score goals. It was a very good experience here and I am just very honoured to score two goals.”
Match 13. Group D, Canada 20 Great Britain 5
Great Britain is finding the world stage a tough place to compete, although the first day’s 22-10 loss to Italy shows it can score goals against the best teams.
It was a tougher task today against Canada found in the opening quarter, going down 6-1 after being 5-0 behind. Toula Falvey was GB’s first scorer.
The second quarter was 5-2, but with three goals (11-3), the players lifted confidence.
This confidence frustrated Canada into not scoring a goal for more than five minutes in the third quarter before unleashing three to go to the final break at 14-3.
Goals were traded at the start of the fourth before Axelle Crevier and Kindred Paul gained their second goals for Canada. Serena Browne became the 10th Canadian scorer. As Canada moved to 20-4, Falvey scored her second and GB’s fifth inside the final half minute.
Match Heroes
Elyse Lemay-Lavoie with four and Shae La Roche with three goals led the Canadian charge while four Britons scored a single goal. Falvey with two for Great Britain.
Turning Point
That opening five-goal haul that set up the victory so early in the piece.
Stats Don’t Lie
Canada sent in four from eight on extra to Britain two from four. Total shooting was 63 per cent to 20 per cent.
Bottom Line
Canada took out its second victory after defeating South Africa on day one and now meets Italy for group supremacy on Thursday. Great Britain real test will be against South Africa for the third spot.
What They Said
Blaire McDowell (CAN) — Goal Scorer
On the match:
“I really enjoyed it. I think we played really good water polo and took our time. And we found each other. Everyone played together and everyone touched the ball, so it was really good.”
Marilla Mimides (CAN) — Goal Scorer
On winning:
“Great Britain was doing a really good job diving and having a lot of movement and we think they were exciting and we had to be disciplined in our defence and, of course, keep pushing on counter and maintaining a good rhythm and make sure of the finish and capitalise on all the opportunities we have.”
Toula Falvey (GBR) — Two Goals
On playing Canada:
“It was definitely a tough match for us. We set some goals and wanted to reach that; definitely some things we can take from this game into the next because we have a really big game coming up. We have to learn from our mistakes and move on.”
Match 11. Group C, New Zealand 6 Australia 13
Australia came through after a middle period where close rival New Zealand proved a difficult opponent.
In fact, New Zealand started the scoring through Gabriella Milicich, only for the Aussie Stingers to power in three goals. However, the time difference between the first and second goals was more than three and a half minutes. Morgan McDowell closed the score to 3-2 with a superb turn on the left post at 0:14.
Goals were traded until 5-4 and in the dying stages, Aussie Stinger Abby Andrews made it 6-4.
Australia dominated the third period, going three straight with Bernadette Doyle pulling one back for the Kiwis just before the final break. Tilly Kearns gained her second with a four-metre lob and Alice Williams made it 8-4 after having a late goal in the first quarter disallowed as it was adjudged as still on the hand at the buzzer.
Abby Andrews opened the fourth, followed by a second Williams goal for 11-5 at 5:36. Doyle scored from the narrowest of angles for New Zealand on the deep right and Williams converted a penalty for 12-6. After a timeout, the ball found Williams and she again shot to score for 13-6 at 0:48. A Kiwi timeout gained no reward and Australia had the victory.
Match Heroes
Williams with her four goals and Gabi Palm with 10 saves in the Aussie goal. Jessica Milicich made a magnificent 16 saves for New Zealand and the blocking of the Aussie Stingers was exceptional.
Turning Point
Australia shifting gear and moving from 5-4 to 9-4 over the halftime break.
Stats Don’t Lie
Australia managed just two from seven on extra compared to New Zealand’s three from nine. Australia shot at 35 per cent to the Kiwis’ 21 per cent.
Bottom Line
Australia is No 4 in the world, so the Kiwi charge was admirable and augurs well for the rest of the tournament.
What They Said
Rebecca Rippon (AUS) — Head Coach
“On playing New Zealand:
“They played a really good game. We always know the Kiwis will come out when they are playing us. I think we fought better in the second half. We tightened up our defence and adjusted to the refereeing a little bit. That’s something we need to work on and then just being a little bit more clinical in our finishing in front of goal. Overall, we will take a seven-goal win. We were happy with that. The whole purpose of today was to get the win and to try and build together as a team.”
Zoe Arancini (AUS) — Captain
On the match:
“I think it was a tight contest even though the score does not reflect this. We started a bit slow. We probably rushed a few things. Our defence was excellent. We had a lot of kickouts against us and to defend most of them. That stat for us was exceptional. Obviously, you don’t want to have that many kickouts beside you either.”
Angie Winstanley-Smith (NZL) — Head Coach:
“On playing Australia:
“I think it is the first we’ve been competitive with Australia in an official game. (In the past) We’ve caught up at the end of the game when it was 5-0 and we really recovered. I think today we brought it to them and we made them play water polo. I think that’s what I’m proudest of . We came and had a game plan and executed it as best we could. I think there were elements of fatigue in there and they punished us, but they are top four in the world from Japan (last year). We’re here to play and we’re going to challenge these teams.”
Morgan McDowell (NZL) — Goal Scorer:
On the match:
“I think we did a really good two quarters, really pushed it; and the second quarter I think we felt a little tired, making little mistakes on attack, shooting too early or we would pass it in and they would counter us and have the free shot at the back end. I think if we just fix those simple mistakes on attack, stay there until the last minute and put the ball in, we can keep passing and stop those counters.”
Match 9. Group B, France China in penalty shootout (FT: 6-6. Pens:
Both teams came off big losses on day one with France going down to Greece 11-6 and China bowing to Spain 18-5, making this the battle for a possible third place. Both are Olympic-qualified teams.
China won the first period 2-0 with France missing a great chance on penalty only for Juliette Dhalluin to drop the ball on the whistle. Zhang Jing opened for China and she proceeded to stamp her authority on the match.
The second quarter went better for France and came close to gaining a couple of penalty fouls. Aurelie Battu scored quickly from two metres and Camelia Bouloukbachi accepted a high cross pass on the left post for 3-2 behind at 0:09.
The renewed French vigour meant France could level at three, four and five in the third quarter, countering Zhang’s left-handed four goals. Bouloukbachi and Battu added to their totals. With time ticking, Zhang slammed in her fifth goal from deep right and China went to the final break 6-5 ahead.
It was not until 4:21 in the fourth that a breakthrough goal came with French captain Louise Guillet converting a penalty for 6-6.
China took a second timeout at 1:48 and lost the ball on the subsequent attack. France shot and gained a corner throw with a timeout being taken. France gained another corner, but shot over the bar. France stole the ball and went to a second timeout with two seconds left on the clock. France could not shoot before the buzzer and it went to a shootout.
It was not until 4:21 in the fourth that a breakthrough goal came with French captain Louise Guillet converting a penalty for 6-6. China took a second timeout at 1:48 and lost the ball on the subsequent attack. France shot and gained a corner throw with a timeout being taken. France gained another corner, but shot over the bar. France stole the ball and went to a second timeout with two seconds left on the clock. France could not shoot before the buzzer and it went to a shootout.
Both teams had two shots saved in the rotation with China’s two misses at four and five. In sudden death, the first three went in (China twice) and Erica Hardy’s final shot was blocked and China had won.
Match Heroes
Zhang with seven goals was the best in pool. Her single-mindedness carried the team to what could be third place in the group and longevity in the competition. French goalkeeper Mia Rycraw can be lauded for her fine effort with a magnificent 14 saves in regular play and two stops in the shootout, earning the player-of-the-match award.
Turning Point
France coming back four times to level, China not managing to steer clear.
Stats Don’t Lie
Both teams shot at 21 per cent with China having the better of the extra plays — China going four from eight and France one from three.
Bottom Line
It was a do-or-die effort with the loser almost assured of going to the bottom four. France’s sluggishness in the first quarter can be looked at in the final analysis. China deserved to come through with the win and stay firmly in the competition.
What They Said
Theodoros Lorantos (FRA) — Head Coach
On losing the match:
“We had an opportunity to finish the game in regular time. There was pressure and we did not have a pleasurable result. We have to improve a lot, at training also. We have to improve ourselves as a team, mentally. We must come out wisely.”
Mia Rycroft (FRA) — Goalkeeper/Player Of The Match
On watching from the goal:
“This match for us was an important one. We knew that we had to fight hard from the beginning. The Chinese are very, very good; they have great shooters; they work very hard in the water. For us it was disappointing at the end, going to penalties and losing that. We knew it was going to be a fight.”
On making 14 saves in regular time and stopping two in the shootout:
“Honestly, I didn’t realise until after. I was actually surprised at the end, but my team-mates rely on me. In the mindset that I had going into it, if I die in the water, working hard, that’s my goal. I can say it wasn’t too bad.”
Progress Points
Group A: USA 6, Netherlands 3, Kazakhstan 2, Brazil 1.
Group B: Spain 6, Greece 3, China 2, France 1.
Group C: Hungary 6, Australia 6, New Zealand 0, Singapore 0.
Group D: Canada 6, Italy 6, Great Britain 0, South Africa 0.
Day 5 Schedule
Match 17. 09:00. Group C, Singapore v New Zealand
Match 20. 10:30. Group D, South Africa v Great Britain
Match 19. 12:00. Group D, Italy v Canada
Match 18. 13:30. Group C, Hungary v Australia
Match 21. 16:00. Group A, Brazil v Netherlands
Match 22. 17:30. Group A, United States of America v Kazakhstan
Match 23. 19:00. Group B, Spain v France
Match 24. 18:30. Group B, Greece v China