United States of America, Spain, Hungary and Italy have moved into the quarterfinals after winning their groups on the third day of women’s water polo competition at the Aspire Dome on Thursday. They will have a rest day on Saturday as the second round is played to determine the other quarterfinalists.
Today's Last Group Matches
In Group A, United States of America went three straight, dispensing with Kazakhstan 32-3 and going straight to the quarterfinals. Netherlands made sure of second place, defeating Brazil 27-5.
In Group B, Spain finished atop the quartet with a 14-7 victory over France, who finished fourth. Greece closed out China 22-9 for second position.
In Group C, Hungary won the group with a 13-9 decider over Australia. New Zealand took out third place with a resounding 30-4 scoreline over winless Singapore.
In Group D, Italy finished top with an accomplished 12-8 margin over Canada. Great Britain ripped through South Africa 14-5 to take third sport in the standings.
Match 24. Group B, Greece 22 China 9
Greece played sublime water polo in its race to finish second in the group. Victory was built on speed, agility, shooting prowess and the ability to outwit China on many occasions. China fought hard and managed to play some excellent water polo with two good centre goals and captain Zhang Jing spearing in a couple in the first half.
Greece was two up, thanks to Athina Giannopoulou, before China replied through Xiang Dunhan with a backhander. Greece then raced to 7-1, giving up another Chinese backhander from two metres.
Zhang opened the second quarter and Greece responded with three more. Zhang converted extra and Eleftheria Plevritou went on counter to close the half’s scoring at 11-4.
Vasiliki Plevritou opened the second half, meaning all three sisters had scored with captain Margarita Plevritou having scored the 9-3 throw. Goals were traded with Greece needing a timeout to regroup at 13-5 and the ploy worked with Eleftheria Plevritou rifling in the shot. Alexandra Asimaki, making a comeback this year, scooped in her second goal. Foteini Tricha went on counter for her second goal and Ninou pulled in her third on a beautiful extra play for 17-5 at the final break.
There was plenty of action in the final quarter with two players red-carded — China’s Nong Sanfeng and Greece’s Eleni Xenaki after a penalty foul was called. The general melee left the two packing up and walking off the pool deck, one after the other. Vasiliki Plevritou scored three goals in the period and Deng Zewen two as Greece won the encounter 22-9. The final period was 5-4 in Greece’s favour.
Match Heroes
Vasiliki Plevritou and Ninou scored four goals each with Deng totalling three for China.
Turning Point
Greece leading 2-1 and then sprinting to 7-1 with the first quarter not finished.
Stats Don’t Lie
Greece shot eight from 11 on extra. China managed four from eight. On total shots, Greece finished the better at 65 per cent to 31 per cent.
Bottom Line
Greece will probably pass through the quarterfinals, depending on the opponent, while China will find it harder to go through.
What She Said
Alexandra Asimaki (GRE) — Two Goals
On the importance of the win:
“It was a massive win, a big goal difference. In the end we got more in the game of the Chinese team, which was in the last quarter, not so much water polo. But, I’m happy with the performance of my team. I think we concentrated from the beginning of the game until the end and now we are moving forward to the upcoming game, which is with Kazakhstan and then we will have a really serious game, probably against Italy to go to the top four teams in the competition again.”
Match 23. Group B, Spain 14 France 7
Spain will be in the medal mix, for sure, and tonight it controlled France, even though it was not made easy as France proved a dogged opponent in the first two quarters.
In fact, Spain was held to two goals in the first quarter with both goals coming inside a minute in the middle of the period. France came to 2-1 and 3-2 and even 4-3 before Spain gained an advantage to lead 7-3.
The third period started with three unanswered goals for 10-4 and by the final break it had moved to 11-5.Cristina Nogue, who had not scored in the previous two matches, unleashed her arm with the first in the third quarter and another to start the fourth. Spanish captain Pili Pena made the sheet at 13-6 after Camelia Bouloukbachi sent in a rocket from well outside. France took two timeouts and the second was rewarded with a Louise Guillet conversion of extra for 13-7. Paula Crespi, who opened all scoring, then closed all scoring at 0:33 and 14-7.
Match Heroes
Nogue was named best in water for three goals from three attempts as eight other Spanish players scored. Bouloukbachi and Ema Vernoux scored two each. French goalkeeper Mia Rycraw dragged down 13 saves.
Turning Point
Spain shook off France when Paul Camus sent the team to 5-3 midway through the second quarter, It became 7-3 and the match was beyond hope for France from that time.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain converted three from four on extra compared to France’s three from 10. Scoring percentage was low on both sides with Spain at 37 per cent and France at 29 per cent.
Bottom Line
Spain ops the group and goes directly to the quarterfinals. France, as the bottom finisher, goes to the classification 13-16 semifinals.
What They Said
Anni Espar and Nona Perez (ESP) — Goal Scorers
On how good Spain was tonight:
“We started a bit slow, then we played very good defence and slowly got into the game and good offence and it was like the last good game with the players; we had to win and did the job.”
On the first half being close:
“It wasn’t a problem because we knew if we kept doing things right we would probably win the game, but I think we were a bit slow on offence and not being effective enough on scoring.”
On being happy, going straight to the quarterfinals:
“We are so happy to pass to the quarterfinals. The goal of the team was to get the first place in the group. We did that, so we are happy.”
On having three days off competition:
“Yes, sometimes having a game between is good, so that the team stays in focus, but we will be in training, so that won’t be a problem.”
Camelia Bouloukbachi (FRA) — Two Goals
On what was good or bad:
“I think we played good, but Spain is a very big team. We didn’t play good enough to beat them. I think we played together, so that was good, but our finishing was not good. However, we gained a lot of exclusions, so that’s good.”
Match 22. Group A, United States of America 32 Kazakhstan 3
USA qualified for the quarterfinals without expending too much energy, picking up a third straight win with a near shutout of Kazakhstan, the third best team in the group.
USA went through the motions and closed the quarter at 8-0, halftime at 16-0 and the third period at 25-1. Kazakhstan took a timeout and set Anastassiya Tsoy up at the top, passed her the ball and she obliged into the top right for 22-1.
The final period had another Kazakh goal — to Madina Rakhmanova on a set play for 27-2. When Denise Mammolito bounced in a goal for 30-2, she became the last field player to score for USA.
Match Heroes
The whole USA team was the hero, although Rachel Fattal and captain Maggie Steffens amassed the most goals with five apiece. Jenna Flynn was next highest with four.
Turning Point
There was not one, except for the opening whistle.
Stats Don’t Lie
USA went a perfect eight from eight on extra-man attack and Kazakhstan made it two from three. The overall ratio of shooting was an incredible 80 per cent to 10 per cent. USA converted all four penalty shots in the final quarter.
Bottom Line
USA now sits out on Saturday an awaits to see who its opponent is in the quarterfinals. Kazakhstan will use this match to prepare for the crossovers.
What They Said
Kaleigh Gilchrist (USA) — Two Goals
On the feeling within the team:
“We’re excited. Obviously, we break it down to two tournaments in group play and then the finals. First tournament went well. Day one we had a good win against the Netherlands but we also know it’s a long tournament. We go straight to the quarters. We won’t know who we’re playing for a couple of days, so kinda wait and watch that game preparing.”
On being given any time off by head coach Adam Krikorian:
“This is a new place for me and many of us on the team. Exploring new places is always exciting to get time off. Adam is a pretty big stickler with time, so we don’t get to visit places often. We got some time off yesterday and we got to go to some awesome restaurants. If we’re lucky, we’ll get some time off tomorrow to see some sights and explore a new culture.”
Valeriya Kolesnichenko (KAZ) — Goalkeeper
On playing a team as strong as USA:
“We knew it was going to be the game versus one of the best teams in the world but we know there’s going to be a not easy game but we did our best.”
On what she learned as a goalkeeper:
“I need more hard work and make sure that for the next game there will be a different scoreboard.”
Match 21. Group A, Brazil 5 Netherlands 27
World champion Netherlands gained its second win with victory over Brazil. It made up somewhat for losing to USA on the opening day. Now the trek through the second round to the quarters and the medals beyond await.
Netherlands sent a strong message with a 7-0 start, giving up a goal 16 seconds from time when Jeniffer Cavalvante cleaned up a rebound with a backhand from two metres. The Dutch had three penalty attempts with two coming off. The first was from Brigitte Sleeking, spearing wide right. Unfortunately for Sleeking, she had her second-quarter attempt blocked when the Dutch were 11-1 ahead. Simone van de Kraats scored three identical counter-attack goals to lift the scoring to 11. Samantha Ferreira drove down the left to close the first-half scoring at 11-2.
Netherlands won the third 7-2 with Kitty Lynn Joustra scoring her second and third goals. Sleeking made up for the penalty misses with a triple in the period while Brazilian skipper Leticia Belorio and Ferreira netted for Brazil, finishing the period at 18-4.
It was nearly all Netherlands in the final quarter, shooting to 20-4 before Debora Silva scored from the deep right. Lieke Rogge with a pair and more goals to Sleeking, van de Kraats and Joustra sent the score soaring to 27-5.
Match Heroes
Sleeking took out the top award despite the two penalty misses. She scored five from seven. Van de Kraats and Joustra also finished with five goals and Lieke Rogge four.
Turning Point
Netherlands’ 7-0 start.
Stats Don’t Lie
Netherland went 3/5 and Brazil 2/6 on extra. The total shooting percentage was in favour of the Dutch 73-26.
Bottom Line
Netherlands is world and European champion and it has a lot to show people in Doha. Brazil now needs to work on its last two matches.
What They Said
Bente Rogge (NED) — Goal Scorer
On what is the motivation now for the team:
“The motivation now is we just take it game by game. We have a crossover game because we are second in the group and we’re going to use this game to prepare for the quarterfinals and get the rhythm. After the Europeans, it’s kind of tough to get back into another tournament, but we are slowly getting into it and trying to find the rhythm for the quarterfinal.”
On the best moment today:
“We really showed we are getting our rhythm back in counter-attack. It was much faster than our previous game, so I think, slowly, step by step we’re getting there.”
Leticia Belorio (BRA) — Captain
On normally playing USA in the Americas and now playing world champion Netherlands:
“It’s an honour to play against those teams who are Olympic champions and European champions as well. It’s all about getting experience against these teams.“
On what is the motivation now:
“We hope to finish the championship well . The group stage did not go the way we wanted, losing to Kazakhstan in a penalty shootout. For us it is an honour to be here and we want to finish on a good note, hopefully playing France.”
Match 18. Group C, Hungary 13 Australia 9
Hungary successfully navigated the group stage with a stunning victory over Australia to go with the 19-8 win over New Zealand and the 39-2 margin over Singapore. Hungary was tested here today and proved that it could perform after two easy matches.
Hungary put it together when needed and whereas Australia did not penetrate on ample opportunities, the Magyars were impressive. Take the three goals that Dorottya Szilagyi (above) made by 6-3.
The Aussie Sharks proved a worthy opponent in the early stages and set the pace at 1-0 and 2-1. However, Hungary, with the greater international match experience this year, went to 4-2 by the quarter.
The second period was tight at 4-3 in Hungary’s favour but those Hungarian goals were spectacular at times as Geraldine Mahieu showed at centre forward. Aussie Stinger Tilly Kearns charged up pool and when no-one wanted the ball, she swam on and shot as goalkeeper Alda Magyari fumbled for 6-4. It became 8-4 with Australian captain Zoe Arancini converting extra for 8-5 just before halftime.
Captain Rita Keszthelyi, always so dangerous and with one goal in the first half, drilled two more for 11-5 with a Greta Gurisatti goal squeezed in between, Hungary was six clear and looking like a medal prospect. Sienna Hearn pulled one back nearly three minutes from the quarter break. Gurisatti boosted her Doha tally to 14.
Kearns scored her second, on extra, to start the fourth, chipping away at Hungary’s lead and now down to four goals. However, Dora Leimeter for her second and Keszthelyi (above) for four had the match sewn up at 13-7 by 4:58. Alice Williams fired home two more goals to bring the match to 13-9 and make it nine goals for her.
Match Heroes
Keszthelyi the superstar who knows no bounds. When she scored her first with a huge leap out of the pool it began her tidal wave of goals. Szilagyi’s quick assault set the stage for victory. Williams’ three kept the Stingers in the picture.
Turning Point
From 2-1 down to 6-3 ahead over the quarter break.
Stats Don’t Lie
Hungary won the match on extra-man attack with figures of eight from 12. Australia hit four from 11. Shooting accuracy was 45 to 36 per cent.
Bottom Line
Hungary was the rightful winner and well-earned the quarterfinal spot. Australia is close and could well do with the extra match.
What They Said
Krisztina Garda (HUN) — Athlete
On winning through to a quarterfinal:
“Yes, it’s good. We knew it would be a tough game but I couldn’t imagine this game like that. This game, from the beginning, we were in front of them. Our defence was really good. If the defence was a little bit missing or we moved somewhere else and the goalie was not in a good place, so it was teamwork. We did some mistakes but we are here to do better and better. It was the first step for our goal and I am happy about it.”
Zoe Arancini (AUS) — Captain
On not winning and advancing straight to the quarterfinals:
“Disappointing, of course. We didn’t capitalise on our opportunities and we didn’t, probably, adjust our defence. We will regroup; we have the crossover match and I don’t know who we have (Great Britain) and have to gear up for that. It’s good to have a tough game like this. We obviously wanted to go the other way for a win. There was some good stuff in there.”
Match 19. Group D, Italy 12 Canada 8
This was a match fill of bite with a quarterfinal berth on offer. Italy is the returning bronze medallist and Canada eighth in Fukuoka.
Canada started strongly with two goals, Italy responded with a pair and each time Canada went out, Italy came back, levelling the first period at 4-4. Italy took over the running in the second quarter with a pair for 6-4 — Chiara Tabani scoring off the left-post position on extra-player and Claudia Marletta from outside. Canada responded through captain Emma Wright on extra and Serena Browne with a well-threaded shot from bottom left two minutes from halftime. Then it was time for Chiara Tabani to shine, scoring from each side of the pool on consecutive attacks for 8-6 by halftime.
Veteran Roberta Bianconi and Marletta with a fourth, expanded the score to 10-6. Canada clawed back to 10-8 through Verica Bakoc and Wright on penalty — second goals for each player. Italy took a penalty shot and Marletta sent it into the goalkeeper, Jessica Gaudreault at 3:46. No further goals came in the period despite some excellent shots and blocks.
Italy made sure of the quarterfinal berth with a n excellent final quarter, keeping Canada at bay while having Bianconi score from the top and Giuditta Galardi steering the ball in off the right-position on extra for 12-8 at 3:16. Canada did not get a shot away after a timeout and Italy called its timeout at 0:34 when the match was won.
Match Heroes
Marletta with four goals for Italy. Tabani and Bianconi punched in three apiece. Caterina Banchelli made 11 saves for Italy. Wright and Bakoc scored twice each for Canada.
Turning Point
Italy pulling away from the second-quarter 6-6 impasse to lead 10-6 in the third.
Stats Don’t Lie
Italy went five from six on extra to Canada’s two from five. Overall shooting was 43-31 per cent.
Bottom Line
Italy is now in the box seat for an Olympic berth while Canada now needs to battle through the second round.
What She Said
Giulia Viacava (ITA) — Athlete
On going to the quarterfinals:
“It was important for us and we want to start for a good world championship. We’re happy today.”
On what made the team so good:
“We are a good defensive team. Not the first period, but the other periods our defence was very strong. It’s a good team.”
Match 20. Group D, South Africa 5 Great Britain 14
Great Britain came out firing and showed that its recent successes at the European championships in the Netherlands were paying off.
South Africa scored first and Great Britain was swiftly at 3-1, gave up another goal and closed the period 5-2 ahead, thanks to a penalty strike.
It was a shut-out period in the second with Great Britain claiming four goals, sending teams to the second half at 9-2. South Africa was struggling to get through the defence as the sharper Britons were all action. Katherine Rogers and Katie Brown both gained their second goals.
Great Britain was still firmly in charge in the third, limiting the Africans to low-percentage shots. For Great Britain, Toula Falvey gained a second on a short drive; Brooke Tafazolli converted a penalty and Cecily Turner scored from the deep left. Amelia Peters converted a penalty for 13-2 and then South Africa struck back through Amber Penney, who was the last scorer at 3:51 in the first quarter. She drilled the ball into the left side from top left. Falvey grabbed her third on extra from the deep left with 15 seconds on the clock for 14-3.
The final quarter was where South Africa found some rhythm and muzzled the British bulldog. In fact, Britain could not find a gap in the defence. Anna Thornton-Dibb plundered a rebound goal at centre forward and Yana Geber sneaked in a cross-cage shot from the deep left, just 15 seconds from time for 14-5.
Match Heroes
Falvey topped the scorers with three goals while Turner, Brown and Rogers scored twice each. Penney was the best for South Africa with a pair.
Turning Point
Great Britain coming from one down to two ahead and then from 3-2 to 13-2.
Stats Don’t Lie
Great Britain had the better of the extra-man statistics at four from four to one from five. There was a 48-19 scoring percentage that favoured Great Britain.
Bottom Line
Great Britain deserves a shot at the second round, showing all the hard work has been worth it. South Africa needs to launch from this to the Olympics.
What They Said
Katherine Rogers (GBR) — Captain/Player Of The Match
On the importance of the match:
“Yes, it was really big match. We prepped hard for it, watching film, looking at how they played. Our whole focus was on that game. Two days before we were building up for this game and to put a performance — a team performance in — was really, really good.”
On other positives from the match:
“We were calmer in offence and defence and found our rhythm. But I honestly think it is about the team. We had every one of our girls touch the ball. Everyone contributed and in a game we didn’t know what the outcome would be as we haven’t played South Africa for years, so to put in a performance like that was so controlled on defence as well, we should be really proud of ourselves.”
Daniela Passoni (RSA) — Goalkeeper/Eight Saves
On the toughness of the match:
”Going into this third game we knew that one and two were going to be really tough, so we really wanted to give Great Britain a go and it’s not the result we expected, but we’re happy to gain the experience. We’re happy to play at such a high level.”
What South Africa needs to do ahead of the Olympic Games:
“We have to come together and play together. We don’t have many opportunities because everybody is working and trying to get themselves there on their own. It’s just a matter of getting into the pool and playing together for a really long time as much as we can before the Olympics.”
Match 17. Group C, Singapore 4 New Zealand 30
New Zealand made sure of its first victory and hopes of going further in the competition with a crushing victory over newcomer Singapore.
New Zealand stole the ball at will and went on counter, putting nine away as Singapore tried to chase. Morgan McDowell was the most lethal and had six goals by halftime as the Kiwis built on the 10-1 first quarter to turn at 19-1. Singapore’s conversion of extra-man attack by Heather Lee was clinical at 7-1. However, for the rest of the half, the Kiwis dominated and gave up few close chances to score.
Singapore made the most of many chances in the third period but struggled to be on target or get through the Kiwi arms. McDowell was on hand to finish two more as New Zealand progressed to 24-1. Emerson Houghton scored a pair to go with one in the first quarter and another two seconds from the closure of the third.
Jingxuan Yap, who scored both goals in Singapore’s clash with Hungary, converted a textbook pass to centre forward from the deep right to flip the ball into the cage to start the fourth-quarter scoring. Bernadette Doyle for her third, Emily Nicholson for her second and McDowall for her ninth, lifted the score to 29-3 . Houghton needed VAR to confirm her goal. Just before Yap bounced a ball into the goal from the top on extra. Singapore scored again, at 1:16, when Wan Jun Lim sent in a penalty shot to the top right for a commendable 29-4. Jackson scored the last for 30-4.
Match Heroes
McDowall with nine goals and Houghton with five.
Turning Point
The 7-0 start that showed Singapore who was boss.
Stats Don’t Lie
New Zealand converted two from two on extra and Singapore two from seven. The Kiwis had a 73-20 percentage advantage on shooting.
Bottom Line
New Zealand was the classier team with the more experience and deserves a shot at the quarterfinals.
What They Said
Jessica Milicich (NZL) — Goalkeeper
On the first win in the tournament:
“It was a really important step for us. It was a must-win game, so I was proud that we came out hard and it was good preparation ahead of whomever our crossover is going to be.“
On the biggest take-home from this match:
“Just focusing on the little things for us. We wanted to minimise our errors, really capitalise and be more aggressive on the cage. I think we did that and it was a real team effort, which is always really positive to see.”
Gabrielle Doyle (NZL) — Athlete
On what the match meant to her:
“I really liked that it was a team effort. We all got in and had to have a go. I enjoyed playing with the team because this was my first senior worlds, so it’s just really enjoyable to play with this new team.”
On making the second round:
“We will probably play the second team in the other pool and we hope to get into the top eight, which would be a big achievement for us.
Abielle Yeo (SGP) — Athlete
On the benefits of the match:
“Today we definitely could try out the things we have been discussing over the past few games and I think there a few successful attempts. We have a lot to learn as well from these stronger teams. It’s been a great opportunity for us to test our skills as well as things we have learned in the last two games and test with what we were trying to change.”
On what you take home from Doha:
“It’s a really great learning experience for regional competitions, like South-East Asian Games and Asian Games where we are always fighting for a medal. We will definitely use the fast pace of these games as learning take-aways and hopefully this will help us raise our game as well for regional competitions.”
Today’s Matches To Come
20:30. Match 24. Group B, Greece China
Final Points
Group A: USA 9, Netherlands 6, Kazakhstan 2, Brazil 1.
Group B: Spain 9, Greece 6, China 2, France 1.
Group C: Hungary 9, Australia 6, New Zealand 3, Singapore 0.
Group D: Italy 9, Canada 6, Great Britain 3, South Africa 0.
Day 7 Schedule
Match 25. 09:00. Classification 13-16 Semifinal, 4A BRA v 4B FRA
Match 26. 10:30. Classification 13-16 Semifinal, 4C SGP v 4D RSA
Match 27. 12:00. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 2A NED v 3B CHN
Match 28. 16:00. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 3A KAZ v 2B GRE
Match 29. 17:30. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 2C AUS v 3D GBR
Match 30. 19:00. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 3C NZL v 2D CAN