Aussie men win silver, NSWIS trio score seven

The Australian men’s water polo team have come away with a silver medal from the FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament following a thrilling final where they were beaten 10-9 by the USA in Japan. 

Of the 13 players in the water, it was a trio of NSWIS supported players who scored seven of the Aussies nine goals as Johnno Cotterill and Aidan Roach both accumulated a treble, while Jarrod Gilchrist also put a shot in the back of the cage. 

Importantly, the silver medal in Japan has secured Australia a place at next month’s FINA World League Super Final in China, which will be essential to their Rio preparations. 

With the scores levelled at 9-9 as the clock counted down in the fourth quarter, it was the USA who seized an opportunity to score the winner with two seconds remaining. Although the medal colour may not have been to the liking of the Aussies, head coach Elvis Fatovic was upbeat about the team’s tournament performance. 

“I am more satisfied with our presentation in this game. We played really good in defence, our attack and our structure – we created lots of opportunity but in the end was a little bit unlucky,” Fatovic said. 

“Definitely this is huge improvement from the first game we played against the USA in this Tournament.” 

Meanwhile Cotterill admitted the side were disappointed to have not walked away with the gold medal after such a close final.

“It was disappointing to come away with the loss.  We improved all week and we were really in there with a shot but in the end it didn’t turn our way,” Cotterill said. 

“Our focus is always defence and I think this Tournament that was apparent. There was a lot of blow outs for other teams, but we stayed strong and steadfast in that.” 

Australia won four of six games, their two losses both at the hands of the USA. The Aussies also beat Brazil and Japan, who will be two of their opponents in the preliminary rounds of this year’s Rio Games. 

Originally posted at Water Polo Australia