Aussie men claim gold at FINA World League Inter-Contintental Cup

The Australian men’s water polo team won the FINA World League Inter-Continental Cup in a gold medal thriller against Japan.

The strong performances gives the Australians confidence as they prepare for the FINA World League Finals and 2019 FINA World Championships in South Korea. The tournaments are crucial events for the team’s ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

It was a fast start to the men’s final with Japan scoring 20 seconds after the opening buzzer. Joe Kayes returned serve and hit the back of Japan’s net 20 seconds after that.

Japan converted a penalty goal but Lachlan Edwards hit back and Nicholas Brooks combined with George Ford to give Australia a 3-2 lead at quarter time.  

Japan failed to convert a penalty early in the second, but it wasn’t long before the game was tied 3-3.

Andrew Ford put Australia in front, but Japan scored during their next possession.  Australia nudged ahead 7-6 at half time after Lachlan Edwards scored twice and Lachlin Hollis once.

In the third quarter, Edwards scored his fourth of the night, Kayes added a second and Blake Edwards got his first.

Australia secured the 10-8 win with strong defence led by the Australian Captain and goal keeper Joel Dennerley who was outstanding all night.

“We knew that we had to play solid defence,” Dennerley said.  

“They’re really aggressive on the drives, we know they take their opportunities at extra man, everyone has a role to play and I was happy to do my job today.  

“Definitely a tough contest. We knew they would come out and fight the four quarters. We had a tough round game that went down to the last few seconds, we knew we needed to be switched on from the beginning and play right the way through.

Dennerley said the result will give the team confidence heading into a crucial period.

“This week’s been about us getting together as a team, we’re spread out all across the world and we used the opportunity to play some competitive matches. For the next few months we’ll build towards World League Finals and ultimately World Championships in July.

“Being isolated in Australia from Europe we need to take every opportunity to play some official matches against international opposition. For some of our younger guys who’ve only been in the squad for a few years it’s been a great opportunity to play on home soil in front of a great crowd. So, we’re very privileged to be able to do that," he said.

MEN'S RESULTS

New Zealand 10 defeated South Africa 8
Argentina 7 defeated China 5
Canada 9 defeated Kazakhstan 4
Australia 10 defeated Japan 8

FINAL RANKINGS

1. Australia
2. Japan
3. Canada
4. Kazakhstan
5. Argentina
6. China
7. New Zealand
8. South Africa