Italy, Netherlands, Greece and Japan won through to the quarterfinals of the women’s competition after an exciting day of do-or-die action at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Thursday. Italy beat China 13-11, Netherlands downed New Zealand 14-9, Greece swam away from France 23-9 and Japan made the top eight for the first time, overcoming Great Britain 23-10. In classification 13-16 semifinals, Argentina defeated Singapore 18-9 and Croatia crushed South Africa 15-6.
Day 9 Schedule
Classification 15-16
Match 31. 09:00. Singapore v South Africa
Classification 13-14
Match 32. 10:35. Argentina v Croatia
Classification 9-12 Semifinals
Match 33. 12:10. China v France
Match 34. 13:45. New Zealand v Great Britain
Classification 1-8 Quarterfinals
Match 35. 16:00. Australia v Greece
Match 36. 17:35. United States of America v Japan
Match 37. 19:10. Hungary v Italy
Match 38. 20:45. Spain v Netherlands
Match Reports
Crossovers (Winners To Quarterfinals)
Match 30, JAPAN 23 GREAT BRITAIN 10 (6-2, 5-2, 5-1, 7-5)
Japan made it into the top eight for the first time and now takes on reigning champion United States of America for a semifinal berth. It might seem an awesome task but ask the team if it was going to be in the top eight before the tournament and there would have been lifted eyebrows. Japan’s best was 11th in Fukuoka 2001 and Barcelona 2003. It was Japan’s second win in Singapore after defeating Croatia 25-12 on day three.
Japan made a statement from the first quarter, solidified that in the second and made sure in the second half that history was going to be made. Japan was not even in Doha last year and finished 14th the year before at home in Fukuoka. This is what dreams are made of at the World Championships.
Scores were level at one and then all of a sudden Japan was 5-1 up before another goal trade before the first break. Eruna Ura and Yumi Arima had two goals each. Japan sent in another four unanswered goals for 10-2 in the second quarter. Lily Turner and Katy Cutler replied and Ai Sunabe picked up her second for 11-4 as the buzzer sounded. For Japan, Shoka Fukuda gained her second at 10-2 on extra from deep left.
Three Japanese goals made it 14-4 and Turner gained the rebound on her missed penalty shot for 14-5.Kako Kawaguchi and Sunabe finished the quarter at 16-5. Come the fourth period and it seemed to be a celebration for both teams with 12 goals. Ura picked up her fourth, setting up a swap show right until the final whistle. They just kept raining in and Britain was relishing matching it with the Japanese. Anya Clapperton picked up a pair and Amelie Perkins consecutive goals for Great Britain. Fuka Nishiyama scored twice while captain Akari Inaba scored her second. It was Maho Kobayashi who finished all scoring, 11 seconds from time. Japan had made history.
Match Heroes
Ura topped all scorers with four while Sunabe and Nishiyama scored three each. The Japanese goalkeepers chipped in with 12 saves. For Great Britain, Clapperton, Turner, Falvey, Cutler and Perkins scored twice each.
Turning Point
Japan going from 5-2 to 10-2 in the second quarter.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan converted an excellent six from seven on extra and stopped five from seven. Great Britain missed the one penalty attempt, won the steals 7-5 but was outshot 35-31.
Bottom Line
Japan is the form team and good luck to the players in the quest for the highest finish possible.
What She Said
Ai SUNABE (JPN) — Three Goals
On the match:
“I’m so happy to win. It was a really good game. We could really play our style of water polo, so it was great. The atmosphere within our team was really good today and we were really connected.
“We made a lot of nice moments and managed to get nice shots and we scored a lot of nice shots. This is Japanese style water polo and we could pass their line defence the whole time and swim fast before shooting. That helped us win. We just stayed focused throughout the match.”
On reaching the quarterfinals for the first time:
“This is a big, big success for Japan. It’s the first time we’re in the top eight of the world championships and it’s a really good experience for us.”
On the next match against the USA:
“Next time, we will meet a much higher level team. We will need more speedy swims so that we can score goals. We have to make sure we can score more goals.”
Match 29, GREECE 23 FRANCE 9 (4-4, 4-3, 8-0, 7-2)
Greece had to overcome France’s stout resistance in the first half and then romp home with an accomplished style of play that it will need in the sharp end of the tournament. Greece powered away to a 3-0 advantage. France took a timeout and threw the next three goals in just over a minute with two Lara Andres goals and one to Valentine Heurtaux, who then had her penalty shot saved at 1:49. Athina Giannopoulou converted Greece’s penalty at 1:31 and with the time running out, Heurtaux scored a famous goal, lobbing the ball 25 metres to the French goal on the quarter-time buzzer, squeezing into the top right, past the outstretched arms of French goalkeeper Pasiphae Martineaud Peret, for 4-4.
Heurtaux, a veteran of last year’s Olympics, slid into the left-post position with the ball to open the second-quarter scoring. Vasiliki Plevritou hit the bar on penalty; Maria Patra on counter and Stefania Santa on a cross pass at centre forward, took Greece back into the lead. Andres beat the buzzer on extra and Ema Vernoux scored on action to give France the lead again. Captain Eleftheria Plevritou on extra and Giannopoulou from deep right, retook the advantage for Greece at the halfway mark.
Maria Myriokefalitaki cleaned up a rebound at centre forward to start the third period. Erica Hardy (FRA) gained a red card and Foteini Tricha, who scored twice in the first quarter, scored twice more for 11-7. Greek head coach Haris Pavlidis challenged successfully for a penalty shot and Patra converted. Vasiliki Plevritou converted the next and then she went on counter and scored at the two-metre line for 14-7 — Greece’s sixth goal this quarter and still at 2:32. She scored a third on the next attack and with seconds left on the clock, Myriokefalitaki blasted home the 16-7 shot.
Nefeli Krassa opened the fourth quarter on penalty before France’s last hurrah when Heurtaux and Lou Jean-Michel — her first in Singapore and at World Championship level — elevated the score to 17-9. Inside the last four minutes, Eleftheria Plevritou scored three goals; Xenaki netted her second and Sofia Tornarou made the sheet while Tricha signed off with her fifth goal as Greece finished 23-9 up and into the quarterfinals for the 11th straight time. Not since 2003 has it finished outside the eight, taking ninth that year.
Match Heroes
Tricha netted five goals, Eleftheria Plevritou four and Vasiliki Plevritou three for Greece. Heurtaux scored four and Andres three for France. Goalkeeper Martineaud Peret took in nine saves.
Turning Point
Greece’s rampaging 8-0 third period.
Stats Don’t Lie
Greece converted three from four on extra and France four from seven. Greece put away five from six on penalty and France missed its one chance. Greece stole seven to two and shot a huge 43 to 23.
Bottom Line
Greece looked vulnerable early on but once Hardy was taken from the match, France slumped and Greece showed what it is capable of, especially needed as it will face Olympic silver medallist Australia in the quarterfinals.
What TheySheSaid
Foteini TRICHA (GRE) — Five Goals and Player of the Match
On the result:
“Right now, we're focusing on our next game. We’re humble still, nothing has happened right now. We have a tough game against Australia, which is a really good team and we will try our best to beat them so that we'll be in the top four teams. That’s our goal right now.”
On today's performance:
“It wasn’t our best game, especially in the beginning. We made some mistakes and (conceded) some goals that put France into the game. We have to eliminate these mistakes, but as I said before, we can't be so hurt about it, we have to continue and focus on our next game.”
On what changed at halftime:
“When we saw the score that we were so close, it was like in our minds we said this must stop. We followed the rules, we followed what our coach said and we managed to make the difference big.”
On winning:
"It's a nice feeling but... we did our job and we expected that France was at a lower level than our team. They were really competitive and congrats to France, too. But I’m not super excited because our goals are ahead of that.”
Match 28, NEW ZEALAND 9 NETHERLANDS 14 (1-3, 2-5, 4-5, 2-1)
Netherlands took a while to warm up but turned on the tap in the second quarter to reach the halftime turn with a five-goal margin and edge it to six heading into the final quarter. It was no easy win as the Kiwis persevered and nearly hit double figures in pursuit of the stronger Dutch team. It shows how far this nation has come in recent years. The Dutch started, but not until 4:58, when captain Sabrina van der Sloot sent it in to the top right on extra. Morgan McDowall lobbed from wide left and it was 1-1, but not until 1:43. There was no time to celebrate holding the Dutch as they slammed in two more by quarter time.
The march continued in the second quarter as Netherlands swung into rhythm with Fleur Bosveld from the top and Simone van de Kraats with her second, this time with a slider from her favoured left-hand-catch position. Maartje Keuning disrespected the Kiwi defence at two metres for 6-1. Holly Dunn brought New Zealand into the picture with a left-handed shot from the top for 6-3. A Kiwi timeout yielded nothing and van de Kraats converted a penalty and Pien Gorter scored her first goal in Singapore and at the world level, on extra from deep left. Emmerson Houghton scored New Zealand’s third goal from deep left on extra for 8-3, still 2:17 short of halftime.
Van de Kraats opened the third period on penalty and Houghton replied from the left-post position on extra off a near pass. Millie Quin nailed consecutive Kiwi goals from the left-hand-catch position and the Dutch called an emergency timeout. It had an immediate effect with Bente Rogge scoring from the top on action and van de Kraats converting extra for 11-6. Darcy Spark (NZL) cross-caged a shot with Kittylynn Joustra (NED) scoring from centre forward. Keuning received a quick cross pass to the right-hand-catch position to score for 13-7 before the final break.
McDowall stole the ball, swam the length of the pool and scored on counter for 13-8 at 6:34 in the final quarter. Maxine Schaap responded from the deep right and New Zealand challenged for a penalty foul, which it won, and Quin scored her third, this time from the penalty line. Both teams took timeouts will no change on the scoreboard. In fact, Quin’s penalty came at 3:44. Netherlands had the quarterfinal berth.
Match Heroes
Van de Kraats with five goals for the Dutch; Keuning with two. Quin put away three for the Kiwis and Houghton two.
Turning Point
Scoring the last two in the third quarter and establishing a strong base in the second.
Stats Don’t Lie
Netherlands converted three from six on extra and New Zealand four from seven. Netherlands sent in two penalty goals and New Zealand one. On steals, the Dutch triumphed 10-7 and outshot the Kiwis 32-24.
Bottom Line
Netherlands won this title two years ago and only held it for six months, such were the vagaries of the post-Covid-pandemic era. New Zealand learnt some valuable lessons. Now the Dutch have to play Olympic champion Spain for a semifinal position — what an enticing combination!
What She Said
Simone VAN DE KRAATS (NED) — Five Goals
On the match:
“In these games, the most important thing is that you continue through to the quarterfinals and we managed to do that. We are also making mistakes right now that we cannot make in the next game, but it’s also a process as a new team and every game; we are improving and this is the most important thing right now.”
On what could have been done better:
“Some defence systems, for example, are new for us so we are really trying to see how the opponents are reacting to these systems. One time it’s going well with communication, another time it’s not how we planned.
“We have a lot of quality and talent in this team and we can be much better than this. We are really excited to play together again after a season of girls playing abroad, and in the Netherlands, and we just enjoy playing with each other.
“Physically, the New Zealand team are super strong, so we had to prepare for that. But I think we managed to do it well. Still, nine goals is a lot and we would like to have less than seven goals every game. But in the end, the most important thing is that we gain confidence from these matches and we just look forward to the next game.”
On playing Spain in the quarterfinals:
“Spain is always an opponent we face often. A lot of girls are playing in Spain, so we are playing against each other the whole season, so it will be a tight match and an exciting one, for sure.”
Match 27, ITALY 13 CHINA 11 (2-0, 4-5, 5-4, 2-2)
Italy needed to work at its best to beat China and advance to the quarterfinals against Hungary on Saturday. China, played super well and can be proud of its effort under new head coach Miki Oca, the Spanish Olympic champion player and former women’s coach.
The first quarter was a breath-taking affair with more than six minutes of no scoring or stoppages, putting plenty of pressure on the players. Once Italian skipper Agnese Cocchiere scored off the left-post position on extra, neither team could find a hole in the opposition defence. That was until Dafne Bettini plucked one out of the air for 2-0 at 0:48 for 2-0. The second period was full of action and challenges. China started with the scoring and Italy answered. Roberta Bianconi scored and China protested that a penalty foul should have been awarded earlier and China won — Bianconi’s goal was struck off — with Zhang Yumian converting. Bianconi made sure of the next goal with Wang Shiyun scoring off extra.
Goals were traded and Italy challenged a penalty foul, but lost. China hit the post and at the other end, Veronica Gant scored on extra off the left-post position. With 17 seconds left on the clock, China went to a timeout and the ball found Zhang Qishuo at the bottom right and she leapt forward and put the ball into the goal with one second left on the clock — 6-5 to Italy.
Italy reversed the trend in the third period and scored one more than China, racing to 10-6, seemingly insurmountable. However, China took a timeout scored through Nong Sanfeng and Yan Siya with a lob. Chiara Ranalli responded for Italy after China unsuccessfully challenged the penalty foul. Zhang Jingwen went on counter and narrowed the margin to two with six seconds left on the clock. Yan Siya planted one in from the top and it was 11-10 at 6:23 in the fourth period. At 5:50, Morena Leone converted extra from the deep right for 12-10. No score came for the next four minutes so Italy called a timeout to relax the team and set up a play, which veteran Bianconi executed on extra from the top left for 13-10 at 1:24. Insurmountable. Shao Yixin scored on counter for 13-11, but at 0:45, Italy played safe and China failed to get a shot away, giving Italy the quarterfinal berth.
Match Heroes
Bianconi and Bettini with three each for Italy and Giuseppina Condorelli making eight valuable saves in goal. Wang and Yan Siya scored twice each for China with captain Shen Yineng also pulling down eight saves.
Turning Point
Italy taking the two-goal advantage and staying on top. With 10-6 halfway through the third period, there was enough stuffing to carry it to the finish line.
Stats Don’t Lie
Italy scored seven from 13 on extra and China an excellent six from nine. Italy scored its one penalty foul and China one from two. On steals, Italy made 7-3 and overall shooting favoured Italy 34-30.
Bottom Line
Italy has the experienced players and will do well in the second week, although China proved that under Oca, it could go far in the coming years and look a completely different team when Budapest 2027 comes around, if he sticks the course.
What She Said
Agnese COCCHIERE (ITA) — Captain
On making the quarterfinals:
“I feel very well because it isn’t easy to be here so… I’m happy. I’m very proud of my team-mates. Now we calm down and we will think about the match against Hungary.”
On playing Hungary for a semifinal berth:
“Hungary are a very good team, I know that. It will be difficult to win. It’s a very good team with a lot of good players like Rita (KESZTHELYI, HUN). Very smart player. But we try… we grow together and we play this match.”
Classification 13-15 Semifinals
Match 26, CROATIA 15 SOUTH AFRICA 6 (7-2, 3-3, 2-0, 4-1)
Croatia made sure of entering the play-off for 13th position in its debut, building on the strong opening quarter and going on to a handsome victory, but with its hiccups in the middle half. The match opened with swapped goals before Argentina swamped the Singaporeans with five straight. Hannah Banks arrested the slide on penalty and Neli Jankovic also scored on penalty for 7-2. It looked like Croatia was on an almighty roll. However, the second quarter was a different matter , equalled at three. Chloe Meecham scored twice and Boati Motau fired from the top right, which was 4-2 in South Africa’s favour since that Banks penalty. Jankovic closed the half on penalty for her third while Aurora Stipanov scored her second from the top.
South Africa restricted Croatia’s momentum in the third quarter with Iva Rozic scoring a backhand from two metres at 3:28 and at 0:52 Croatia going to a timeout, setting up Ria Glas on the first pass to score from the top right for 11-5. This was testament to South Africa’s defence, in particular. Croatia managed to get through twice in the fourth period before South Africa went to a timeout at 2:00. It had not scored for nearly 18 minutes. The move did not come off and Croatia countered for a penalty goal, which Stipanov converted. Tumi MacDonell drove to score and break the drought for 14-6. Ana Desnica scored her first of the week on a drive down the left post, gaining the cross pass from the right for 15-6, the final flourish.
Match Heroes
Jankovic topped the scoring with four, followed by Glas and Stipanov with three each for Croatia. Meecham was South Africa’s double scorer.
Turning Point
Going 6-1 supplied the buffer for victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
Croatia was excellent with the stats, converting six from seven on extra to South Africa’s one from five; scoring three to two on penalty; stealing 11 to 10 and shooting 32 to 28. South Africa can be proud of those statistics, as well.
Bottom Line
Croatia has proved a revelation in Singapore and addresses the needed rise in numbers of women’s teams at the top level. South Africa responded after the poor start, which will set it up for the 15th-place play-off on Saturday.
What She Said
Neli JANKOVIC (CRO) — Player of the Match
On the team’s performance:
“We performed very well. I hope we continue to play like this and get more wins… We had a difficult group (in the group stage). Unlike the pressing from Japan and Greece (in the group stage matches), today we are able to find space and shoot more goals.”
On Croatia being a young team and what it means to compete at the World Aquatics Championships:
“It’s an honour, but our main focus is to prepare for the U20 World Championships. We learnt a lot from this experience.”
Match 25, SINGAPORE 9 ARGENTINA 18 (2-4, 1-6, 3-4, 3-4)
Argentina has eased into the play-off for 13th position, with a solid victory over host Singapore. The South Americans will finish higher than 16th in 2023 but behind 12th in 2022, its best effort. Argentina had too much firepower and found that shooting from well outside had its rewards. Goals were traded at the start with Julieta Auliel giving Argentina the edge on penalty. Heather Lee missed her penalty chance and Anahi Bacigalupo converted hers for 3-1. Tingting Koh scored her second goal for Singapore with Auliel striking back on penalty for 3-2 at the first break. Kristen Lim lobbed from the right for 4-3 at the start of the second quarter but that’s where the scoring dried up as Argentina swam rampant with six goals. Auliel took her tally to three with the 10-3 goal, 13 seconds from the halftime buzzer. Captain Maria Canda and Bacigalupo had two against their names.
Canda scored twice to start the third period for 12-3 but Singapore shot back with three of the next four goals with Bacigalupo finishing with a brilliant turn at centre forward for 14-6, 12 seconds from time. Xiao Koh and Tingting Koh scored from outside and Yap from centre forward on the possession buzzer. An Argentinian triple began the fourth quarter and then the team went to a timeout at 4:43. Unfortunately no goal eventuated but Tingting Koh scored at the other end for 17-7. Yap drilled from the top as did Auliel and Cheng Ong made it a third Singaporean goal in less than four minutes when she converted a penalty goal for 18-9.
Match Heroes
Canda top-scored with five goals, Bacigalupo rammed home four as did Auliel for Argentina. Tingting Koh scored three, Yap and Xiao Koh two each.
Turning Point
Argentina taking control in the second quarter with long outside shots.
Stats Don’t Lie
Argentina converted two from three on extra and Singapore three from five. Argentina buried all three penalty attempts and Singapore one from three. Argentina made 19 steals to six and shot 33 to 19.
Bottom Line
Argentina was the better team by far and has proved to be a worthy combination in Singapore.
What They Said
Julieta AULIEL (ARG) — Four Goals
On the team’s performance:
“We had really, really tough three matches (in the group stage) and this match was really good. We played as a team. So, it was actually the big difference compared to the last three games.”
On the team’s growth since its last World Aquatics Championships appearance in 2023:
“The main six or seven players (in the current team) that played in 2023 were actually really young. So now they have grown older. They trained a lot these two years. This (maturity) was the difference.
“We feel really excited about the difference (in the team) right now. Obviously, we have already shown that we have improved from 16th place (in 2023). We are looking forward to the next match. We will do better and let’s see if we can finish 13th place.”
KOH Ting Ting (SGP) — Three Goals
On the match:
“Today’s match was aggressive and also a tough one. We all knew that going into the game, but we just tried our best to win today’s game to get a good opportunity to be in the 13th-14th placement match. Nevertheless, we did our best. We tried to get as many exclusions as we could and tried to play the man up. I think our team did well in the third quarter; we gathered ourselves and made space for each other, and took the opportunity to shoot.”
On scoring three goals:
“Usually, I’m not the main shooter of the game. But as coach says, when the opportunity comes to you, you just take it. I didn’t think too much, I saw the hole and I just shot. I guess today is my lucky day.”