Perth 2012, Day 7 (Women): Canada and Australia win classification matches

Day 7 Match Reports

WOMEN

Game 45: 9:00, AUSTRALIA 10 BRAZIL 6
Classification 7th & 8th
Quarters: 1-2, 4-1, 2-2, 3-1
Referees: Gabor Vogel (HUN), Diego Garibaldi (ARG)
Extra Man: AUS 2/2, BRA 2/9
Pens: AUS 1/2, BRA 1/1
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Lilian Hedges, Ainsley Masek, Belinda Symons (1), Montana Perkins, Madeleine Quinn (1), Shannan Martin (1), Fiona Walsh, Lenke Dauda-Board, Maddison Schmid (2), Chloe Barr (2), Kassia Ralston, Jessica Zimmerman (3), Stephanie Calaizis. Head Coach: Aleksandar Osadchuk.
BRAZIL: Victoria Chamorro, Diana Abla, Tabata Dalio, Adhara Santoro, Luiza Moraes (1), Mariana Duarte, Roberta Hernandez, Izabella Chiappini (2), Bruna Torres, Heloisa Warren, Mirella Coutinho (3), Viviane Bahia, Raquel Arayo de Sa. Head Coach: Antonio Canetti.

AUS vs BRA - credit: Anthony Pearse

In a contest where both teams would have expected to be fighting for a higher position, Australia and Brazil went head to head to decide placings seven and eight at Challenge Stadium. Brazil had the better of the opening exchanges to lead 2-1 at the first break with Mirella Coutinho converting an early double, before Australia rallied to lead at the next two intervals to post an improved 10-6 victory.

Madeleine Quinn converted the first for Australia, before Maddi Schmid netted two more — including an 8m rocket and a 5m penalty – to hand Australia the lead. The Brazilians continued to pepper the cage in the second quarter with star shooter Izabella Chiappini scoring her first, only for Jessica Zimmerman and captain Chloe Barr to fire home another two to give Australia a 5-3 halftime advantage.

At the end of the first half both teams received a yellow card for simulation and that proved costly with Schmid being suspended for the game for a repeat offence. Her red card was followed by goals to Barr and Zimmerman, only for Barr to receive her third major foul to leave Australia two players down with a quarter and three minutes remaining.

Luckily for Australia, Zimmerman continued her scoring prowess netting her third, to go with centre-forward goals from Shannan Martin and Belinda Symons. Australia’s success was partly created by its ability to keep Chiappini quiet. The tournament’s second leading scorer was restricted to just two goals – including a late penalty – with centre back Ainsley Masek holding firm.

Overall, it was a strong finish for the Australians and Zimmerman said her team was very pleased with the four-goal win

“It’s definitely a good feeling to get the win. We we’re really excited to get the victory and a bit disappointed after yesterday’s game, so it a great team effort to bounce back,” Zimmerman said. “It’s been great to play here in Perth in front of my friends and family and I’m really happy.

Brazil coach Antonio Canetti conceded his team was unable to play its best polo at the most important stages.

“Yesterday we did not have a good game. We were leading in the second quarter against New Zealand. Today we did not meet expectations,” he said. “Hopefully the girls will continue to improve and maybe there will be some girls in the team for Rio.”

Game 46: 10:20, CANADA 12 NEW ZEALAND 11
Classification 5th & 6th
Quarters: 4-1, 4-3, 1-2, 3-5
Referees: Nicola Johnson (AUS), Edmundo Rodrigues (BRA)
Extra Man: CAN 4/5, NZL 2/10
Pens: CAN 1/1, NZL 3/3
Teams:
CANADA: Jessica Gaudreault, Hayley McKelvey, Rae Lekness (6), Rachel Krieger (1), Dankia Kotylak, Nikolina Mihalijovic, Taylor Molde (1), Cara Robinson (2), Kyra Christmas (1), Emma Wright, Kindred Paul, Alexa Tielman (1), Claire Wright. Head Coach: Nishant Demani.
NEW ZEALAND: Elisabeth Andree Wiltens, Ricci Ferigo (2), Jaymee Graham, Rebecca Parkes (3), Simone Couree-Campbell, Lisa Tuke, Chelsea Geary, Caitlin Lopes Da Silva (5), Abigail Cunninghame, Renuka Mahadevan, Miranda Chase, Kate Enoka (1), Courtney Miller. Head Coach: Richard Claridge.

NZL vs CAN - credit: Anthony Pearse

A high-octane first half paved the way for Canada to defeat New Zealand 12-11 and snare fifth place in the women’s championships. Canada bolted out of the blocks, jumping to a 3-1 lead midway through the first break. Rae Lekness (CAN) bullocked her way to two early goals providing a headache for the New Zealanders early.

The 4-1 quarter-time lead was a true reflection of Canada’s dominance with Alexa Tielman and Cara Robinson also scoring. New Zealand struggled to gain traction in the match, leaving little imprint on Canada in its attacking sorties. Rachel Krieger and Lekness compounded New Zealand’s problems with skip shots from the outside within a minute to extend the margin to five. Quick action was required and it fell to Caitlin Lopes Da Silva to steady the rocking New Zealanders. She banged home two quick goals, but Canada reaffirmed its ascendency to lead at the main change, 8-4.

The rigours of the week appeared to have caught up with the players in a nondescript third quarter. Canada was unable to land the knockout punch, while New Zealand could barely exert anything to concern Canada. A goal to Ricci Ferigo just before three-quarter time gave New Zealand hope of erasing a three-goal deficit.

Canada scored the first two of the last quarter to scupper any realistic chance for New Zealand. A late flurry came from the never-say-die Kiwis, pulling within one of Canada with seconds remaining. Lopes Da Silva was again instrumental in New Zealand’s best passages, brilliant with three goals in the last.

Lekness, ended as Canada’s leading goal scorer in the tournament, adding six today for an overall tally of 18 goals. She was quick to deflect praise for her own contribution, highlighting the importance of a lofty finish for Canadian water polo.

“I’m happier with the win (than my six goals). It’s been quite a long time since Canada has finished that high in the event so we’re happy with that,” Lekness said.

New Zealand captain Kate Enoka said her team knew it had the ability to come back and square the match in the final quarter.

“Our coach always says that we should show character and work hard as individuals. We knew at halftime that we could do it again (referring to Friday’s comeback, extra-time win over Brazil). We lifted our heads and played until the end.

”She said the tournament was a great experience. “It was good to get the opportunity as we have been together for so many years. Finally having a chance to do our best after four years and have so much fun was fantastic.”