Stingers Start Strong in World Championships Opener

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers have defeated France 10-8 in their opening match of the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Japan.

Every aspect of the Australians’ game was tested by their opponents, but their defence proved too good in the end and the win will give players’ confidence as they prepare to face ultimate rivals, the USA, in their next match on Tuesday.

In their match against France, scores were locked 3-3 at the end of the first quarter with both sides taking a conservative approach in the early moments of the Game. France was first to score but Australia immediately responded through the left arm of Abbie Andrews.

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder, Tilly Kearns quickly made it 2-1 to Australia, before France evened the scores once again. A sleek backhand shot from Tenealle Fasala gave Australia a 3-2 advantage.

Two saves in-goal from Gabi Palm kept France at bay late in the first quarter. Palm’s French counterpart was equally impressive and also denied the Aussies points early on.

Australia’s No.7 Charlize Andrews found the back of the net early in the second quarter, taking advantage of an exclusion to give Australia a 4-3 lead. Australia stretched its lead to 5-3 thanks to a goal from Alice Williams but the French again edged closer, showing persistence to narrow the score to 5-4 (to Aus). Fasala scored her second goal of the match while Amy Ridge scored her first to give Australia at 7-5 lead at the end of the first half.

Both sides displayed their defence in a low-scoring third quarter that was won by the French 2-1. The quarter began with Bronte Halligan (NSWIS) making it 8-5 for Australia but two goals to France throughout the third stanza gave Australia little breathing room with the score 8-7 with eight minutes to play.

Goal keepers of both nations blocked a host of shots in the fourth quarter and the score remained unchanged until Andrews scored her second of the match with a minute to play to make it 9-7 to Australia. Both teams traded goals in the final moments of the Game to make the final score 10-8 with Australia’s goal coming via captain and NSWIS Scholarship holder Zoe Arancini.

Williams, who was named player of the match, said France has been a tough opponent.

“We have to give them a lot of credit for how they played,” Williams said.

“It was a tough game. They gave us a really tough run but we did some really good team plays.

“Execution is something we can work on but we have so many opportunities, we just need to put them away,” she said.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Williams said there is room for improvement.

“(We’re) happy to have a win on our first game, but now were looking forward to the next game.

“It’s definitely going to be a tough game against USA, they just won the World Cup. They’re looking strong however with all our preparation and especially how we played today, I think we can absolutely take it to them,” she said.

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers play USA on Tuesday 18 July at 6:30pm AEST. Watch live via 9Now.

Story courtesy of Water Polo Australia.