Italy, Spain, United States of America and Croatia have qualified directly to the quarterfinals of the men’s water polo competition at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Wednesday. Second and third place-getter go to the second round and the bottom teams will contest the round of 13-16.
Overview
In Group A, Italy confirmed its top place in Group A and automatic entry to the quarterfinals with a 28-4 romp over South Africa. Serbia collected second spot with an 19-9 crushing of Romania.
In Group B, Spain came back with a 5-1 final quarter to defeat Hungary 10-9 for the the quarterfinal berth. Japan repeated its performance from Paris 2024 with a 12-11 win over Australia and took out third place.
In Group C, USA outplayed Singapore 26-6 to win the group and advance to the quarters. Brazil overcame Canada in sudden-death penalty shootout 19-18 after the match was locked at 11-11, in the process, taking out second place in the group.
In Group D, Croatia finished top of the group after a nail-biting, come-from-behind 10-9 win over Greece and Montenegro secured second place with a 13-8 victory over China.
Final Points
Group A: Italy 8, Serbia 7, Romania 3, South Africa 0.
Group B: Spain 9, Hungary 6, Japan 3, Australia 0.
Group C: United States of America 9, Brazil 5, Canada 4, Singapore 0.
Group D: Croatia 9, Montenegro 6, Greece 3, China 0.
Day 8 Schedule
Classification 13-16 semifinals:
Match 25. 09:00. South Africa v Australia
Match 26. 10:30. Singapore v China
Crossovers
Match 27. 16:00. Serbia v Japan
Match 28. 17:30. Romania v Hungary
Match 29. 19:00. Brazil v Greece
Match 30. 20:30. Canada v Montenegro
Final Preliminary Round Group Match Reports
Match 24, Group A, SPAIN 10 HUNGARY 9 (2-2, 1-3, 2-3, 5-1)
This was a battle between the World Cup champion Spain and the bronze medallist Hungary from April. It was a grudge match and with something at stake. Spain was fancied. Hungary had other ideas. But then the wily Spaniards and the oldest player, Felipe Perrone, produced some magic to set his team up for victory and a quarterfinal berth.
Spain went 2-1 up and thought the match was heading in the right direction. However, Hungary had the match level at the quarter break. Zsombor Vismeg made sure with the 2-2 at 4:08 and then there were no goals before the first buzzer, such was the defence at each end. Come the second quarter, Spain was troubled immensely. Vince Vigvari scored a second with a missile into the bottom left; Gergely Burian dropped his in from the top and Gergo Fekete made it 5-2 at 1:10 from the top left. Biel Gomila, who scored Spain’s second goal, pulled one back from the left-post position for 5-3 at the turn.
Daniel Angyal scored on extra from centre forward and Albert Munarriz converted a penalty within a minute early in the third period. Marton Vamos increased the margin to three. Gomila and Angyal traded goals well before the final break. Sergi Cabanas barred in from the top for 8-6 down at the start of the fourth quarter. Krisztian Manhercz replied and soon after Granados bounced in from the top for 9-7. A Hungarian timeout led to two lost balls, only one regained. Granados converted a penalty and it was 9-8. Hungary then went on attack and had three shots rejected. A minute later, Granados sent in a quick shot on extra that caught the defence unawares and it was 10-9 at 3:09 — in Spain’s favour.
Hungary had a timeout, but nothing would work. Spain had rolled up the shutters. Even in the last half minute, the whole team rushed the Spanish goal but nothing would work and the last shot shaved the left upright on full time. Spain had miraculously escaped with a thundering avalanche of goals in the final quarter of this amazing victory.
Match Heroes
The two goalkeepers — Spain’s Unai Aguirre and Hungary’s Kristof Csoma with 11 saves each. They made this match what it was. Granados was inspirational for Spain with four goals while Gomila grabbed three. Angyal and Vince Vigvari netted twice for Hungary.
Turning Point
The last quarter. The flashy Spaniards, saving the best till last!
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain scored four from 10 on extra and Hungary three from six. Spain scored both penalty attempts and led steals six to five. Hungary shot 34 to 32.
Bottom Line
Always back the team that’s behind. Spain was courageous.
Match 23, Group C, SINGAPORE 6 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 26 (0-4, 2-4, 2-10, 2-8)
Singapore turned it on for the huge home crowd but it was USA who had the better of the scoring with strong quarters as it should have been for the Olympic bronze medallist. There was a smattering of juniors from the silver-medal-winning team from last month’s U20 world champs, as well. USA, spearheaded by Marko Vavic, scored two of the four goals in the first quarter. Captain Max Irving scored the second goal and Dan Liechty, one of those junior silver medallists, fired in a left-handed goal from centre forward. Jayden See helped blow the roof off the stadium when he scored Singapore’s first goal with a short drive to start the second quarter. Irving, Chase Dodd and Vavic, needing VAR, took the score out to 7-1. See drilled from the top and Singapore had a second goal. Ryan Ohl, another Olympian/world junior, scored from deep left for 8-2 by halftime.
Matthias Goh began the second half with Singapore’s third goal, scoring from top left. Irving scored from the other side and Liechty converted a penalty for 10-3 at 7-7 — three goals in the first minute! USA head coach Dejan Udovicic threw the green flag for a challenge two minutes later and he won, giving his team a corner from which it scored through Chase Dodd. Ryan Ohl on penalty and Dom Brown off a cross pass took it to 13-2. Sanjiv Rajandra converted a penalty for Singapore. USA went on the counter four times and then Nicolas Saveljevic, who scored the fourth counter, fired from the top left for 18-4 not long before the final break.
Ryder Dodd cross-caged from the right to open the fourth period to the beat of the Singaporean drums. Ryder Dodd smashed in another from the bottom left. Connor Ohl, younger brother of Ryan Ohl, won the swim, stole the ball and shot a goal in the opening minutes of the fourth, to go with a counter-attack goal in the previous period. Hannes Daube made the scoresheet and Cayden Loh pleased the crowd again with a strike from right-hand-catch for 23-5. Saveljic drove left for his third goal as Singapore head coach Kan Aoyagi, a former Japanese international, threw a challenge into the pool but it was denied. Chase Dodd scored from a rebound that had smashed into the goalkeeper’s face on a backhander, for 24-5. Zhi Zhi Loh accepted a cross pass to the left post to score Singapore’s sixth goal at 0:52. Dom Brown scored from in front of goal and Daube closed all scoring firing the length of the field into an empty net on the buzzer, as the goalkeeper had come forward.
Match Heroes
Ryan Dodd and Irving were the shooting stars with four goals each. Vavic, Saveljevic and Ryan Ohl scored three apiece. For Singapore, Ken Chou made 11 saves in goal and Jayden See was the double scorer.
Turning Point
USA’s first quarter.
Stats Don’t Lie
USA’s biggest stat was shooting 44 to 24, stealing 17 to seven, scoring both penalty chances to one and converting its sole extra chance while denying Singapore four of six.
Bottom Line
Singapore enjoyed the occasion but it was never going to get close to USA as it took out the group and goes directly to the quarterfinals. Singapore will now play the group of 13-16.
What They Said
Max IRVING (USA) — Captain and Four Goals
On the match:
“I think it was a decent match for us. You have to give a lot of credit to Singapore. They came out, they played well in front of a home crowd. They played all four quarters, played with energy, played with intensity. So, we really appreciate them for that. We're looking forward to now moving on to the quarterfinal. We know we're gonna have a difficult match ahead of us, whether we play Japan or Serbia. We're just gonna take these days, prepare for the next game that's coming. Just take things one step at a time.”
On their approach in the championships:
“We have a young group. We have a lot of guys (in their) first World Championships. So, we're not taking anything for granted. Whether it's a game against Brazil, Canada, Singapore or a quarterfinal. Games are awesome opportunities for us to gain experience that will eventually help us and equip us down the line to be the best team.”
Jayden SEE (SGP) — Two Goals
On the difference between facing the USA versus Canada in its previous match:
“It's definitely a big difference. The teams here are definitely Olympic level. It's where we hope to be eventually, but definitely are not at yet. I think it's a big opportunity for us to be given a chance to play against these teams to see where we more or less stand in terms of our skills and size and everything.”
On their takeaways from the past three matches:
“I think a big takeaway for many of us is the pressure that we face playing at home, since a lot of us don't really have that opportunity, since most of our competitions are overseas. I think a lot of us, definitely the younger players, this is our first time playing at home, so I think it's very good for us to be given the chance to play against opponents in our home country.”
On the match:
“I think before the match, we already knew that Team USA is definitely a better opponent, and I think it was a huge opportunity for us to be given the chance to play against them. We definitely learned a lot from this game, and we also recognise a lot of the things that we can improve on in the future. We'll definitely go back and train harder for any future competitions.”
Match 22, Group D, GREECE 9 CROATIA 10 (4-1, 2-4,1-4, 2-1)
World champion Croatia slowly came back and surpassed Greece, the runaway starter. Greece seemed to lose composure in the third period, not managing to get connections and becoming frustrated in the pool while Croatia had a single-minded mentality. Adding to the frustration of both teams was the superb goalkeeping at both ends of the pool. There could only be one winner and Croatia triumphed thanks to a spectacular middle half.
Greece slipped in the first three goals, gave up one and then led 4-1 at the quarter break. Loren Fatovic responded early in the second quarter and Ioannis Alafragkis scored off the right post on a near-post pass for 5-2. Tin Brubnjak and Luka Loncar converted extra-man plays and Konstantin Kharkov scored from the right side of the pool for 5-5. Efstathios Kalogeropoulos converted a penalty and Greece had the 6-5 advantage at halftime.
Marko Zuvela added to Greece’s woes with consecutive goals from the right side with the second, just making it across the line. Konstantinos Genidounias replied on extra. Zvonimir Butic converted extra at 4:57 forcing Greece to a timeout. Nothing came and frustration boiled over with Greek head coach Theo Vlachos who gained a yellow card after Loren Fatovic scored from the top on a quick extra-man play. It was 9-7 at the final break.
Alafragkis collected a cross pass on counter for 9-8 and straight away Luka Bukic drove left and smashed in a fast goal for 10-8. By this stage each team had six players on two major fouls. There was a VAR review, which was considering a penalty but it did not happen. It was 4:09 and Greece trailed by two. Dimitrios Skoumpakis jumped on a rebound from his left-post position and backhanded for 10-9. Croatia challenged and Croatian head coach Ivica Tucak was red-carded and then yellow-carded. He stayed on pool deck. Go figure! On a Greek exclusion, Croatia called a timeout at 2:14. It became six on four and the Croatian shot went high above the bar. The Greek shot was blocked and so was the Croatian shot at the end of possession.
A Greek player was called offside and Croatia played for time shooting at about four seconds, leaving
Greece on a timeout and just less than four seconds to come up with the equaliser. The ball was played, shot and blocked, giving Croatia the victory, apparently not the way Vlachos wanted going by his protestations to his team after the buzzer.
Match Heroes
Marko Bijac was the undoubted star with 14 big saves in the Croatian goal while Fatovic scored three goals with two to Zuvela and Butic. For Greece, Kalogeropoulos and Alafragkis scored twice and Panagiotis Tzortzatos pulled in 11 saves.
Turning Point
Croatia coming from three down to 5-5. It was where the impetus came for victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
They were fairly even with Croatia converting five from 12 and Greece five from 13. Both landed a penalty goal and made three steals. Greece shot 32 to 28.
Bottom Line
Croatia is world champion. Greece is World Cup silver medallist. It could have gone either way. Greece remains unbeaten and now Greece has two losses and the harder road to the finals.
What They Said
Loren FATOVIC (CRO) — Three Goals
On the match:
“It was a tough game, like we expect. Greece is a very good team with such good players and the coach and we were prepared for that. We didn't go into the match so good. But in the second half, we kept to our plan and took the victory, and that's the most important for sure.
“It was some mistakes that we can see in the next three days and prepare for the quarterfinals. For sure, it will be a tight match, no matter if it's Hungary or Spain. They’re perfect teams. And for sure, we have to be on our best to beat them.”
On what to improve on:
“We didn't have good energy. For sure it was something that we missed in the first half and Greece is such a good team. So, the most important thing is that we keep that up in the next three days.”
On Croatia’s preparation for the quarterfinals:
“Just rest. It’s too hot outside to walk around. We will prepare and train, and see who will be our opponent.”
Konstantinos GENIDOUNIAS (GRE) — Goal Scorer
On the match:
“To be honest, I am feeling a little bit of frustration because looking at the beginning of the game, we were very good. We had a lot of energy, a lot of passion and we were very effective both in defence and offence.
“However, some personal mistakes, some childish mistakes, allowed the opponents to come back into the game. And unfortunately, towards the end of the game, our offence wasn’t as we would have liked. Moving forward, we need to improve that part of the game because it cost us also against Montenegro in the first game of the tournament. We need to have the same energy for four quarters and especially in the upcoming games, where it is do-or-die, so we have to be concentrated and energised for four quarters.
On what went well:
“In our first game against Montenegro, what we were missing was our energy in the first half. So, today’s game we showed up with a lot of energy and passion because we really wanted this game. That’s why my first feeling is frustration because we really wanted it and I think we deserved it. At least for one half, we were better. We need to keep our energy, our passion for four quarters because no game is over at halftime.”
On playing Brazil next:
“These games are always dangerous when you’re the favourite. It’s a do-or-die game. Brazil will show up to play; they have nothing to lose. If our team comes focused from the first minute of the game, we will have no problems. However, if we decide to show up here just to float in the water and if we expect to win just by being there, it’s not going to happen. We need to show up prepared and, as I said, with energy and passion for four quarters.”
Match 21, Group A, SERBIA 19 ROMANIA 9 (5-1, 4-1, 5-3, 5-4)
Serbia served it up against Romania, as expected, with both teams using this as a warm-up for the second sound. Serbia finished second in the group and now meets Japan to see who heads off to the quarterfinals. Serbia held the cards and dealt them deliberately, showing 5-1 at quarter time and 9-2 at halftime. Just showing enough, without too much. It was a 5-3 third period as Romania started enforcing its presence and the real showdown was in the final quarter where it was do or die. Serbia was the team to beat and still remains one of the best teams in Singapore. It’s just starting slowly, much like at Paris 2024 when it lost three matches and then exploded into action when needed most.
Serbia shot to 3-0, gave up one goal and scored the next two heading into the break. Two more came, including one from Dusan Mandic. Andrei Neamtu broke the line for 7-2 and Serbian captain Nikola Jaksic, who scored two sensational goals later in the match, scored from the top left and then had a penalty shot denied. Nikola Murisic finished the half’s scoring.
Starting with Viktor Rasovic, goals were traded to 12-5 with Sava Randelovic — his third — and Mandic finished the period at 14-5. Vlad-Luca Georgescu scored twice in the period for Romania. Jaksic surged forward like a ghost to score the 11-3 goal and did something similar for 16-5. Scoring from centre forward, he was all class and awarded player of the match. Levente Vancsik scored twice for Romania in the fourth quarter before goals were traded until the final buzzer. Serbia had quietly made a statement that the sluggishness has been shrugged off and now it’s ready for the sharp end, if it can only subdue Japan.
Match Heroes
Randelovic was the best scorer with four goals followed by Jaksic and Lazic with three apiece. Iudean and Georgescu scored twice for Romanin and captain Marius-Florin Tic stopped nine shots.
Turning Point
The 7-1 opening says it all.
Stats Don’t Lie
Serbia converted nine from 15 extra-man attempts to Romania’s three from eight. On penalties, Serbia made two from three. Steals went to Serbia 9-4 and Serbia shot 36 to 29.
Bottom Line
Serbia only lost to Italy in a shootout. Serbia was not going to make the same mistake today.
What They Said
Nikola JAKSIC (SRB) — Captain and Player of the Match
On Serbia’s overall performance in the group matches:
“The game against Italy was really difficult, especially for me, because (I was) excluded, if I can also say without any reason. But I think everybody already saw that, so I don't need to comment any more on that. (It's) already forgotten. This was a good game. I think we're improving game by game, as we usually do. And if we want to do anything in the next game against Japan, we need to be even better.”
On what Serbia will work on ahead of its match against Japan:
“Swimming, probably. A lot of a lot of swimming, because you play a specific type of water polo that involves a lot of swimming, up and down, less contact. So, one good swimming session is going to happen in two days.”
Marius-Florin TIC (ROU) — Captain
On the match:“I think we lost this game very badly on the vertical aspect, especially whenever we were a man down. They have such good legs and so much power. We (conceded) a lot of goals because of this overall. What can I say when you lose with such a big goal difference? You cannot be satisfied, but we need to improve every game that we play here and we hope to finish better than we did in the last World Championships (10th).”
On what they’ve learnt in the group stage:
“We need to improve our man-down strategy because you cann
ot play or win any games at this level without a good man-down game. We need to have better reactions, especially when we receive exclusions or the referee makes certain decisions, because we are too slow for this level. I hope that the next game will be a much better one for us.”
Match 20, Group A, ITALY 28 SOUTH AFRICA 4 (6-1, 9-0, 8-1, 5-2)
Italy enjoyed the lesser tension after that fantastic shootout victory over Serbia but still needed to get as much match time as possible for the players before the layover day. By cruising to 6-0 in just over five minutes, Italy was in the swim, so to speak. Matthew Neser converted extra to get the Africans on the board at 1:27 and kept Italy at bay until the buzzer. No such luck for South Africa in the second quarter as Italy kept a clean sheet and went on counter with Francesco Cassia scoring three goals and almost every player getting on to the sheet.
The second half was a repeat of the first with Italy making it 8-1, the one for South Africa coming from Manqoba Bungane from the top left. Filippo Ferrero grabbed a pair to go with his earlier two as the match stretched out to 23-2. The final quarter was less taxing with Italy winning it 5-2 with South Africans Brett Sneddon scoring at two metres and Dylan Watt rifling in a shot from the top at 28-4, 43 seconds from full time. Mario Del Basso scored twice to end with three and Luca Damonte and Francesco Condemi added another to their tallies to finish with three each.
Match Heroes
Cassia and Ferrero scored four apiece while Damonte, Cannella, Del Basso and Condemi finished with three each.
Turning Point
Shooting out to 6-0 set the tone for the match.
Stats Don’t Lie
Italy converted all four extra-man plays and saved four of five; scored the only penalty goal; stole the ball 19 to five and outshot South Africa 38-19.
Bottom Line
Italy is a class above and deserves its place in the quarterfinals. South Africa’s championships starts on Friday.
What They Said
Tommaso BAGGI NECCHI (ITA) — Athlete
On today’s performance:
“It’s my first time in the starting seven, so I felt a bit of pressure in the beginning, but I felt we played well and with intensity, and that’s the important thing. No matter who the opposing team is, you always have to play your hardest to respect them. I think we did it, and now we have to be focused on the quarterfinals.
“There was a big difference (between the teams), but we played so hard, so strong, and with intensity in all parts of the game, and that’s what we have to do.”
On having two days off:
“That’s good, we can focus on the quarterfinals and have some rest.”
Matthew BOWERS (RSA) — Athlete
On the match:
“It was a tough one. I think we knew we were going to go in there to try to defend for our life, I mean, Italy's one of the best teams in the tournament. We took a step-by-step attempt to just stick to our processes but it was a very tough match and the boys here fought very hard to the end.”
On what could be learnt:
“It's not every day that we get to play against European teams like Italy. So, there were a lot of little tricks, little things that they were doing to get ahead of us in the game. It's just about (the) experience for us, going back, trying to show the kids, some new cool tricks to win games.
“Italy proved it against Serbia, by the little tricks that they can do off the ball. Ninety percent of the game is played off the ball, so that's a lot that we can take back with us to South Africa, and get the next generation hyped and ready for this in a couple years’ time.”
On the next matches:
“These next couple of games are crucial for us. We want to give it our all and make it way more competitive than what it was now, knuckle down and give it our all in the next game. We have two more games left, so we're ready for it. Whatever it takes and then be back for the last one.”
Match 19, Group D, CHINA 8 MONTENEGRO 13 (0-3, 2-2, 3-3, 3-5)
Montenegro did what it had to do and that was beat China and make sure it finishes in the top three depending on a later result. Montenegro was unsteady at times but in control, building on the 4-0 sheet several minutes into the second quarter. China stayed in the match and proved more than equal for three quarters, dominating Montenegro and finishing with a flourish.
Montenegro scored the first three goals with one on penalty. The fourth came a minute into the second quarter through Savo Cetkovic on extra from in front. Chinese captain Chen Zhongxian had a penalty shot stopped but made amends within the minute. Aljosa Macic took it to 5-1. Liu Yu scored off the left-post position at 3:00, with no further goal until halftime.
Chen opened the third period with Dusan Banicevic replying twice on extra. Chen and Wang Beiyi at centre forward sandwiched a Dmitrii Kholod score on extra from the top — 8-5 at the final break. Macic triggered a rocket from the top to start the fourth and Peng Jiahao equalled the feat. Strahinja Gojkovic and Dusan Matkovic, with a superb turn at deep left, took the score to 11-6. Wen Zijun had his shot from deep left deflected into goal by a defender. Jovan Vujovic, who scored Montenegro’s third goal, delivered from the right-post position off a near pass on extra for 12-7 and Kholod made it 13-7. Xie Zekai converted extra at 1:59 for what was the final score of 13-8.
Match Heroes
Lazar Andric made eight saves for Montenegro while Kholod, Macic, Vujovic and Banicevic scored twice each. Chen slotted three for China and Wu Honghui also made eight saves.
Turning Point
Montenegro wen to 4-0 and from there on in only won the match 9-8 against a resurgent Chinese team.
Stats Don’t Lie
Montenegro converted seven from 12 and defended six from 10. Montenegro gained its one penalty shot and China missed its one. Montenegro made five steals to one and on overall shots, China went 38-37.
Bottom Line
Montenegro slips into second position while China is winless after three matches.
What They Said
Lazar ANDRIC (MNE) — Goalkeeper/Player of the Match
On the match:
“That was a tougher game than we thought. Coming into the match, we knew that we were the favourites. The third game of the group stage definitely came harder than we expected, especially after the hard-fought games against Croatia and Greece.”
On being player of the match as the second goalkeeper:
“This is my first game that I played in this tournament. It definitely feels good coming off the bench as a second back-up goalie. I needed to show that I'm here; I'm focused and I'm very happy that I had a good game.”
On the next matches:
“We're expecting to go to the quarterfinals – that’s a first, where we're gonna meet one of the stronger teams in this tournament. I think those are the matches that will definitely decide the next stages. So, we hope to go through to the semifinals and hopefully in the final.”
CHEN Zhongxian (CHN) — Captain and Three Goals
On the result:
“The team played united today, and we fought for every ball and shot. In terms of strategy, tactics, and counter-attack, we need to make some improvements. Personally, I still need to improve, too, if I want to be able to measure myself against the European teams.”
On playing Singapore next:
“Every game is an important one, so we’ll strive to play each game we get as well as we can.”
Match 18, Group B, AUSTRALIA 11 JAPAN 12 (3-3, 2-3, 2-0, 4-6)
Japan delivered when needed most with a 6-4 closing quarter that at one stage was 6-3. Australia struggled late in the match to keep up with the energetic Japanese and will rue not building on its 3-1 start. Japan advances to the second round and Australia has been sidelined to the round 13-16. Australia shot out of the blocks in the opening quarter with a 3-1 position in the first four minutes. The goals all came courtesy of big centre forward and captain Nathan Power, from two metres, the top and the right post on extra. Mitsuru Takata levelled at one and Kiyomu Date and Ikkei Nitta at 1:28 levelled the match heading into the second quarter. Daichi Ogihara drilled from the top for the 4-3 lead at 5:23 in the second quarter. Goals were traded with Matthew Byrnes from top right and Jacob Mercep from the penalty line levelling for Australia. Takata on left-hand-catch and Kenta Araki from the left post on a cross pass on extra, made it 6-5 for Japan at 0:33.
Early in the third period, Aussie Sharks head coach Tim Hamill challenged and gained a penalty foul, which Mercep failed to convert, hitting the crossbar. Marcus Berehulak rocketed in a shot from the bottom left and Mercep made amends on the next attack from the top right to have the Sharks back in front at 7-6. A Japanese timeout yielded nothing. Australia went to a timeout at 0:27 and two magnificent shots rejected by equally solid defence. By this stage, Japan was scoreless in the period and captain Yusuke Inaba, so prolific normally, had five shots for no score. In the fourth period, Japan ramped up with that extra gear while the Sharks had red shoulders. Inaba gained his time in the sun from the top left and Date gave Japan the advantage. Goals were traded with Australia levelling three times for 10-120 by 3:01. Inaba went to centre forward, spun the defender and scored with Toi Suzuki contributing on the next attack for 12-10 at 2:01. At 1:14, Power, who stayed at the Japanese end of the pool, received a long pass after a dispossession and beat Towa Nishimura for 12-11 down. Australia gained a timeout at 0:49, elected to send up just the normal six and leave Nic Porter behind and the shot by Byrnes sprayed right. Japan retained the ball for a first win, third in the group and still in contention for a medal. For Australia it is an ignominious trudge to the play-offs for 13-16 — a grouping it has not seen since the inaugural championships in 1973 when it finished 14th. Japan was 13th last year in Doha, so this is a progression.
Match Heroes
The best in water were Power with five goals for Australia and Nic Porter with an extraordinary 16 saves in goal. However, Japan won the day with pairs to Inaba, Takata, Date and Suzuki.
Turning Point
So many but the killer punch was delivered when Inaba and Suzuki inside the last three minutes.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan wrestled in four from eight on extra to Australia’s two from six. Australia missed one from two on penalty; drew the steals at six but Japan shot 39 to 28, thus Porter’s immaculate save rate.
Bottom Line
Japan beat Australia 14-13 at the Paris 2024 Olympics and held the edge again today. Australia has now lost six straight at the highest level since the heroics of Paris, having missed the World Cup, which must have added to the hurt.
What They Said
Yoshinori SHIOTA (JPN) — Head Coach
On the match:
“It was a tough game. Against Australia, last we played, only one point was called. In four years, we played Australia three or four times. We always play one-point games. Congratulations for Australia, they’re a very good team.”
On the next match (Serbia):
“Very tough. They are the Olympic champions, so it’ll be a challenging game. But we’ll try to win. In Paris (Summer Olympic Games 2024), we played against Serbia and we only lost by one point. We lost but we played very well in Paris.”
Tim HAMILL (AUS) — Head Coach
On the tight match:
“Extremely disappointing way to lose. Japan are obviously a great water polo team. They play a very unique brand of water polo, but we know how they play. By and large, we executed much of our game plan, but we weren't able to do it for the four quarters.
“Lack of fight will never be a concern for our team. They're a great group of guys. I'm always proud with how they play, but we weren't able to execute and close out the game today.”
On the positives after the group stage:
“This was the first time in some time that we're back playing this high-level water polo. So even though our group was a very, very difficult group to play in, we were always happy with that in terms of knowing we're going to get three really big-quality games here at the World Championships.
“We were confident against all opponents, but unfortunately, we couldn't get out of the group stage. We started the tournament very poorly against Hungary. It was a very un-Australian-like performance from us. Our second half against Spain was much improved. Just a very devastating way to close.”
Nathan POWER (AUS) — Captain
On team performance:
“It’s not like it’s a really happy day for us. We wanted to make a mark and continue some momentum we’ve been building across this tournament, and unfortunately to be eliminated, yeah, it hurts today.
“We found our defensive side, which is really good for us. I think we played decent defence today, but we lost and now we’re out of the tournament.”
On Japan’s unique style of play:
“They have a very different style, and they are very difficult to play against. I think at times today, we hung a little bit low and they didn’t have as many scoring opportunities as they’ve had in previous games, but unfortunately we weren’t able to then score in the other end.”
On personal performance and being top scorer
“Yeah, I mean, that’s probably one way, It’ll be nice to think about that side, but, for us it’s always a team game and unfortunately we lost today.”
Match 17, Group C, CANADA 18 BRAZIL 19 in sudden-death penalty shootout. FT: 11-11. Pens: 7-8 (6-2, 1-3, 3-4, 1-2)
In the battle of the Americas — north and south — it came down to sudden death. Canada was never headed until the 18th shootout goal, which meant the end of the match and the ultimate loss. Brazil had clinched second place in the group. The difference? Luca Andrade, who Canada seemed not to be able to handle, even allowing him to shoot the fulltime equaliser unattended. He finished with eight goals and then threw a [air in the shootout. Not a bad day at the office.
In the first quarter, it looked like a Canadian rout with a 6-1 advantage in the last half-minute becoming 6-2, seven seconds from time. Brazil was on the ropes and Canada was riding high. Reuel D’Souza, who played the southern summer in Western Australia with USA’s Hannes Daube at another club, scored the first penalty with Luca Andrade responding from the deep left. Four more Canadian goals came with D’Souza netting the fourth with a short drive down the right post. Jeremie Coté scored the first of two from the deep left and the second from the top for 6-1. Gustavo Guimaraes provided some relief for Brazil from the top right. The break chat must have worked for Brazil as AndreiFreitas scored and head coach Thiago Nacimento gained a yellow card. Andrade then caught Canada napping twice in 40 seconds for 6-5. Coté plugged in his third for 7-5 before the halftime buzzer.
Controversy struck the top of the third period as Paulo Oliveira was red-carded after a VAR review for a violent action at centre forward. This review came after Pozaric had scored on extra. The goal was disallowed, Oliviera excluded after a long review process and Leo Hachem scored off the extra opportunity. Andrade responded quickly from the top left and it was 8-6 at 6:58. Canada did not learn the lesson and allowed Andrade to score again two minutes later for 8-7. Canada reaped no benefit from a timeout. Pedro Real scored for Brazil amid much yelling from the Canadian defence, stating that the clock was reset incorrectly. A VAR decision agreed, but Brazil regained the ball, and gained an ejection but no goal came, meaning Canada still had the one-goal advantage. Canada earned a penalty and D’Souza converted to give his team two degrees of separation. Ali Oussadou made it three degrees at 0:41 from the left-hand-catch position. D’Souza rifled in a shot from top right to beat the buzzer for 11-7 with the VAR review was actually for a Brazilian challenge for interference earlier. The clock was wound back to 17 seconds, D’Souza’s goal wiped and a penalty awarded, which Andrade converted for 10-8. Canada then stupidly gave up the ball to Brazil who fired it up to the fleeing Gustavo Coutinho to score at 0:03 and reduce what should have been a four-goal lead to just the one goal — 10-9.
Pozaric shot from the right-hand-catch position for 11-9 on extra at 7:09 in the fourth period. More breathing space for Canada. Andrade smashed in a goal at 1:43 and Canada challenged, but lost and the goal stood at 11-10. Canada shot twice for no goal and Brazil called a timeout at 0:48. Brazil sent up seven field players, shot and regained the ball on corner. Andrade was allowed to shoot, and score, at 0:12 for the all-important equaliser. Canada went to a timeout and sent in seven field players. D’Souza’s shot was blocked and the match went to a shootout despite his protestations that two hands were used by the defender.
The shootout went well for the first eight shooters with Canada leading, then the next two missed, sending it to sudden death. The first six made it across the line, then D’Souza had his saved and Coutinho converted for the unlikely Brazilian victory.
Match Heroes
Andrade with a spectacular eight goals, let alone the two in shootout, delivered the Brazilian victory. He and goalkeeper Joao Fernandes with an amazing 16 saves. For Canada, Coté and D’Souza sent in three apiece and Milan Radenovic made 11 saves in goal.
Turning Point
Canada going 6-1 ahead; Brazil bringing it back to 6-5 behind; Canada going 10-7 and 11-9 and then Brazil levelling at 11.
Stats Don’t Lie
Brazil nailed three from four on extra and Canada two from five. Canada put in all three penalty shots and Brazil one. Canada made three steals to two and shot 37 to 34.
Bottom Line
Brazil wanted it badly after having to play from behind for the entire match except for when the winning penalty landed.
What They Said
Thiago NASCIMENTO (BRA) — Head Coach
On the match:
“It was a very balanced game. We got neutralised by Canada at the beginning; they read our game at the start, so they got a good start. But we didn’t give up, we got back in the game, we got even at the end. In the last play, we put our goalie out and we played a man up to get a chance to score and we did it.
“In the penalty shoot-out, our goalie was really happy, and so were our shooters, and we got the win.”
On making a come-back after going 2-6 down in the first period:
“I’m really proud of my players for not giving up even though we had a bad start. We need to start more focused going forward, so we don’t suffer in the end. And never give up.
“This is the first time we’re finishing second in the group stage in our existence as a water polo team. We’re here to learn, to evolve and to close the gap between us and the European teams at the top level.”
Gyula TOTH (CAN) — Assistant Coach
On the team’s performance:
“It was good. We are a new team, we’re playing together for the first time, we did get a little bit comfortable with the lead, and I think step by step, they got the better of the craziness, a lot of craziness.”
On the match’s intensity:
“Water polo, it’s a physical game, you have to be tough. They played tough, but it was not like cheap shots, they just played hard. It was not aggressive. It was intense, I call it an intense game.”