WATER POLO: The Aussie Stingers have kept their Olympic hopes alive after a solid 14-1 win over South Africa in the final game of the group stages at Tokyo 2020.
The win on Sunday night saw the Australians finish second in their group, which will see them meet the Russian Olympic Committee in an elimination quarter final on Tuesday 3 August.
While the Aussie Stingers got off to a rocky start and only led 1-0 after the first quarter, they then kicked into gear and stretched their lead to 7-1 at half-time. From there they built momentum and took control of the game.
Captain and triple Olympian Rowie Webster was pleased her side is through to the quarter finals but admits there are areas they will want to improve on.
“It’s nice we’re through to the next phase,” Webster said. “We didn’t execute the way we wanted, but sometimes those games happen and you’ve just gotta make sure you move on and be positive about the next one.”
South Africa made their debut in water polo at these Olympic Games and while they failed to notch up a win, Webster said they will be one’s to watch at future Games.
“Any team that comes here to the Olympic Games gives their best, doesn’t matter the result.
“It is a great privilege to play those girls, they are a young side and they are only going to get better,” she said.
The Aussies will now play the ROC, both sides meeting many times over the years including at the Rio Olympic Games where Australia was able to deliver a strong win.
At Tokyo 2020 the ROC finished third in Group B with two wins, one draw and one loss fro the pool matches.
“ROC are a really good team. They are fast, they like to swim, they have great centre forwards, great outside shooters so you never know what you’re going to get.
“We need to go back and review our tactics… we haven’t played them in a long time, but we’ll give it our best shot and hopefully get the win.
“This Olympics has shown that anyone can be beaten. The world's best are being beaten by countries you might not have thought would challenge them so I just think that shows the standard of water polo that is here at the Tokyo Olympics.”
Australia will now face ROC on Tuesday 3 August at 8:50pm AEST. If the Stingers can beat ROC they will meet either the USA or CAN in the semi-final.
Results
Group A, AUSTRALIA 14 SOUTH AFRICA 1 Quarters: 1-0, 6-1, 4-0, 3-0. Shots: AUS: 14/38. RSA: 1/12. Pens: AUS: 0/2
Water Polo Australia
