Aussie women win silver at FINA World League Inter-Contintental Cup

The Australian women’s team won silver at the FINA World League Inter-Continental Cup after a courageous effort against the world and Olympic champions, the USA, in which the team fought back from a four-goal deficit to force the game to a penalty shootout.

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.

The Stingers pushed the world’s best team all the way through four quarters and into a penalty shootout.  

All of the United States’ first quarter goals were courtesy of penalties. 

Showing good team work the Stingers combined together to get off the mark.

Goals were courtesy of Keesja Gofers and Hannah Buckling and a cross pass from Gofers to Amy Ridge levelled scores 3-3 at the first quarter.

The US flexed their muscles in the second, adding a further four goals to their overall score, one coming via a penalty. Lena Mihailovic was Australia’s only goal scorer in the second and Australia was facing an uphill 4-8 deficit.

The Stingers clawed back in the third, courtesy of strong defence which limited the US to one goal. Isobel Bishop had an outstanding quarter saving a goal in defence before scoring herself off a penalty. Gofers added her second of the night.

Gofers opened scoring in the fourth, bridging the deficit to two goals. A number of influential saves from Gabriella Palm, playing her 50th game for Australia, gave Australia a chance.

Rowie Webster converted with five minutes to go and Australia was within a goal’s reach. The Aussies had the crowd and the momentum going their way.

Cool under pressure the Australian Captain Webster levelled the score with 40 seconds to go.

The penalty shootout went against the Aussies as they finished 12-14 (9-9 at full time)

Webster said there was plenty to take away from the performance, notably Australia’s ability to keep their counterparts to one goal in the second half.

“(At half time) we spoke about staying calm, staying positive, taking every opportunity and really being aggressive in attack. Our defence followed from that and we shut them out and they started to panic a little.

“To match the best in the world for four quarters is a real step forward for us. 

“Anyone can win in penalties and they did so congratulations to the US and we get a second chance, that’s the pleasure of playing sport.

“We’re happy but we’re not necessarily satisfied. This will fuel our fire to come out and train harder. We send some girls overseas and we come back for world league finals so chipping away each day, training hard working collectively together. With a new coaching line up there’s going to be challenges and I think we just proved we’re a threat in the world."

WOMEN'S RESULTS

New Zealand 11 defeated South Africa 8
Japan 16 defeated Kazakhstan 7
China 11 defeated Canada 8
USA 14 defeated Australia 12 (penalty shootout full time 9-9)

FINAL RANKINGS

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