Aussie Sharks through to World Cup Semi Final

The Australian Men’s Water Polo team have caused an upset at the FINA World Cup when they defeated reigning World Champions Croatia 9-8.

It was one of the biggest upsets at the World Cup, with Croatia coming into the match ranked heavy favourites, as current World Champions, bronze medalists at the recent European Championships as well as silver medalists from the Rio Olympic Games.

But from the outset the Aussies looked determined and controlled and with each quarter delivering tied scores the match truly went down to the wire.

Olympian Richie Campbell put the first points on the board in the match, with Croatia scoring right on the buzzer to lock scores 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Croatia were quick to strike first in the second period, two goals from Joe Kayes as well as goals from Lachlan Edwards and Lachlan Hollis, kept Croatia on their toes and once again delivered an evenly match quarter with scores 5-5 at half time.

Captain Aaron Younger and Lachlan Edwards converted for the Aussies in the third quarter with the end of the period once more showing nothing between these two sides the score-line 7-7.

In the final quarter it was Australia out of the gates first courtesy of a Blake Edwards goal. Some big saves from Joel Dennerley in goals kept the Croatians at bay.

When Rhys Howden received his third exclusion in the match, Croatia were quick to capitalise in extra man and level scores 8-8 with just over one minute to go.

But with the never say die Aussie Sharks attitude set up the next play nicely with Joe Kayes converting to put the team in front 9-8 and take win.

Returning to the Aussie Sharks line up for the first time since the Rio Olympic Games was goal keeper Joel Dennerley who produced some big saves and shut down the Croatians attacking ability.

“It was good defence from the team, we knew their extra man was going to be a danger for them and they are looking looking for the post all the time.

“The pressure the guys put on meant that they cut down the time so it was a good collective effort,” he said.

An elated Head Coach Elvis Fatovic, always believed his side had the ability to match it with the best in the world.

“Finally we can say that we won a big game against an amazing opponent and the boys really played well.

“They (Croatia) have a quality team… they are World Champions at the moment, bronze medal from the Europeans, so we know what they can offer.

“They are missing just one player here… on paper they looked stronger.

“But we played very good in both defence and offence and when we concentrate I believe we can play with every team in the world.

“Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully we will be able to deliver one more good game,” said Fatovic.

Australia will now take on hosts Germany again, who they managed to defeat by one goal in the preliminary stages.

Germany on home turf will again be formidable, having only dropped one game throughout the whole tournament.

Quarter Final Results

Australia 9 Croatia 8

Qtr time scores: 1-1; 5-5; 7-7; 9-8

Game 3 I Aussie Sharks defeat hosts Germany 

The Australian men’s water polo team have rounded out the preliminary rounds with a nail biting win over hosts Germany, 10-9.

The Aussie Sharks managed the win over an undefeated German side, but unfortunately it was not enough to see them finish second in Group A and have subsequently had to settle for third place.

Needing more than a two goal win in final preliminary match, the final standings saw Germany on top of the ladder followed by Hungary. It will now see Australia meet Croatia in the quarter finals.

The home crowd support for Germany made for a dramatic match up between the two sides, with the Aussies coming out strong in the first quarter to set up a one-point lead 2-1 courtesy of goals from Lachlan Hollis and Richie Campbell.

Three huge saves from Anthony Hrysanthos in the cage as well as another two goals from Kayes and Nathan Power was enough for the Aussies to keep their lead 5-4 at half time.

In the third quarter Kayes was unstoppable with a hat trick of goals, while the Germans eagerness to stay in the game saw scores locked up on two occasions. The Aussies however managed to keep a narrow 8-7 lead leading into the final quarter.

With just on three minutes left in the game the scores locked once more 9-9 and it looked as though the match was headed for a draw.

But a well timed goal from Lachlan Edwards in the dying minutes of the game was enough to secure the Australians the 10-9 win.

With give five goals for his side Olympian Joe Kayes was named MVP of the match, with some impressive shots on the post.  

“It was our game plan, we knew the posts would be open and I was luck enough to convert a few today,” said Kayes.

“It was a tough game against the hosts, no time to really sit and dwell on it.

“Just looking forward to Croatia tomorrow and hopefully we can knock them off and keep progressing and keep our story alive.

“Tomorrow we need to keep to our plan for the whole 32 minutes,” he said.

Tune in via FINAtv or though @WaterPoloAus Twitter updates from 1:30am (AEST)* on 15 September for their clash against Croatia.

*subject to FINA change – stay tuned for further updates.

GAME 3: AUS V GER RESULTS

Australia 10 Germany 9

Qtrs: 2-1, 5-4, 8-7, 10-9

AUSTRALIA: Richard Campbell (2), Joe Kayes (5), Nathan Power (1), Lachlan Edwards (1), Lachlan Hollis (1), Aaron Younger, Andrew Ford, Tim Putt, Rhys Howden, Blake Edwards, Anthony Hrysanthos.

GAME 2 I The Aussie Sharks have put out a solid performance in their second group match at the FINA Men’s World Cup, pushing Hungary all the way but conceding an 8-9 loss.

Continuing his strong form early in the tournament, Australian goalkeeper Anthony Hrysanthos successfully pulled off crucial early saves.

Triple Olympian Rhys Howden showed his international class netting the first goal of the match as he went on to contribute to his team’s efforts through a faultless record in the sprints.

Australia were out to cut down Hungary’s space early in the match as they looked to put their European counterparts on the back foot from the get go.

A lone goal from West Australian Andrew Ford in double extra man levelled the scores early in the second quarter before Hungary pulled away with a two goal lead at halftime, 3-5.

Aussie captain Aaron Younger used his international experience to work his way into the match with a double in the third quarter and well supported by Richie Campbell’s goal also in the third.

Hungary continued to lead with multiple goals converted in extra man attack, providing a three goal lead with one quarter remaining, 6-9.

Olympians Richie Campbell and Rhys Howden showed their class in the fourth quarter with one goal apiece to keep their hopes of a victory alive.

This was backed up by their team’s strong defence giving Australia a big chance to pull off a comeback victory.

Australia were presented with an extra man opportunity late in the match to equal scores but a Hungary field block squashed their chances of a late draw with the Aussies going down 8-9.

Blake Edwards said his side will now focus on regrouping ahead of the next pool match against Germany.

"The boys all put their head down and worked pretty hard. 

"Unfortunately we didn't put away some opportunities, but we created many.

"Hopefully if we can put away those shots against Germany tomorrow we can come away with the win," he said.

The side will look to rebound quickly in their last group match against hosts Germany who won their first match against Hungary and will prove a tough opponent.

Tune in via FINAtv or though @WaterPoloAus Twitter updates from 4:30am (AEST) on 14 September for their clash against Germany.

More to follow…

GAME 2: AUS V HUN RESULTS

Australia 8 Hungary 9

Qtrs: 2-3, 1-2, 3-4, 2-0

AUSTRALIA: Richard Campbell (2), George Ford, Joe Kayes, Nathan Power, Lachlan Edwards (1), Lachlan Hollis, Aaron Younger (2), Andrew Ford (1), Rhys Howden (2), Blake Edwards, Anthony Hrysanthos.

GAME 1 | AUSTRALIA CLAIM FIRST WIN OF FINA WORLD CUP

The Australian Men’s Water Polo team have opened their 2018 FINA World Cup in style with a convincing 14-6 win over Japan.

The FINA Men’s World Cup kicked off in Berlin, Germany tonight with the six-day tournament to feature teams from Germany, Japan, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, South Africa and USA.

From the outset the Aussies Sharks dominated both in their attack and defence, with early goals from Olympians Aaron Younger, Rhys Howden and Joe Kayes taking the side to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Their strong defence kept Japan scoreless right through to half time with some big saves in goals from Anthony Hrysanthos proving valuable.

Another goal from Joe Kayes along shots from Nathan Power and Blake Edwards, stretched the Aussies lead to 6-0 at half time.

Japan came out strong in the second half, striking first to get on the board and getting another four goals in an attempt to close the gap on the Australians.

But two goals from Younger as well as from with Howden, Blake Edwards, and Power kept the Aussies at a comfortable 11-5 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter saw the Aussies once again step up their defensive efforts to manage to keep Japan to just one goal while bagging another three themselves to round out the final score 14-6.

Head Coach Elvis Fatovic was pleased with how his team had started their World Cup campaign, admitting that a side like Japan always throws up unknowns.

“It’s always difficult to start some tournaments when you play an unpredictable team like Japan.

“But we controlled the game from the beginning, in my opinion our attack, I don’t mean only with the goals… we respected the possession of the ball and in that way we didn’t offer too many counter attacks to Japan and that was a key moment for the game,” said Fatovic.

In goals, Anthony Hrysanthos was able to shut down two penalty goals as well as make some big saves throughout the match.

“It was a very good start… we were really good in our defence in the first half of the game and I think that really nailed the result,” said Hrysanthos.

“It was good to play our first full four quarters since the World League Finals earlier this year.

“The defence played really well, all the blockers are doing a great job and made my job a little bit easier.

“We are looking really good, we’re excited to be playing Hungary tomorrow, hopefully get a good result and come day four play in the quarter final and hopefully get into the semi,” he said.

Next up Australia take on European heavy weights Hungary, at midnight AEST on 13 September 2018.

Catch all the action live on www.finatv.live or follow @WaterpoloAus on twitter.

GAME 1: AUS V JPN RESULTS

Australia 14 Japan 6

Qtrs: 3-0, 5-0, 5-5, 3-1

Extra Man:

AUSTRALIA: Aaron Younger (4), Richard Campbell, Joel Dennerley, Blake Edwards (2), Lachlan Edwards, Andrew Ford, George Ford, Lachlan Hollis, Rhys Howden (2), Anthony Hrysanthos, Joe Kayes (3), Nathan Power (3), Tim Putt.