AUSSIE STINGERS WIN PENALTY SHOOT OUT

The Australian women’s water polo team got a small slice of redemption when they defeated Canada 14-12 in a penalty shootout for the 5-8 playoff. 

After the disappointing loss in the quarter final, the Aussie Stingers are determined to finish their Tokyo Olympic campaign on a high as they eye off a fifth place finish. 

Taking on the Canadians again, the match went goal for goal, with no more than one point in the game throughout.

At the end of regular time the scores were locked 10-10, sending the match into penalty shoot-out. 

Dual Lea Yanitsas was impressive in goals, saving two crucial goals, with Aussie goal scorers faultless with goals coming from Zoe Arancini, Amy Ridge, Hannah Buckling and Keesja Gofers.  

Arancini delivered a standout performance scoring an impressive six goals, saying that the side were pleased to come back after dropping the quarter final.  

“To come back from a disappointing match the other day in the quarters, to bounce back like that and fight really hard for the win, it’s a fantastic job and just shows the spirit we have,” said Arancini.

“It shows all of the young girls back home who play water polo what the Aussie Stingers are made of.

“Well done to Canada as well, I think they’ve done really well coming in here and they’ve definitely put the pressure on most of the top teams. 

“Thank you to Japan, Tokyo, for an amazing Olympics. They’ve done a really good job in this pandemic era, we feel really safe and it’s been a fantastic event,” she said. 

Assistant Coach Rebecca Rippon led the side, happy to grind out the win. 

“It was tough, it was close... we did it together - the girls were there for me and I was there for them. 

“Our defence relies on everyone doing their part, and that’s what we spoke about today… everyone playing their role in defence, and then everyone playing their role in attack. 

“We got a lot of steals, we got a lot of blocks. Obviously it was a higher scoring game than the other day, so a few more went in both ways, that’s the style of game that it is now. 


We went out together, and we executed what we talked about,” said Rippon.

The Aussie Stingers will now take on the Netherlands on Saturday 7 August at 12noon AEST.