Classification 9-12 Semifinals — Szeged

JAPAN 15 AUSTRALIA 7  

Australia took a short trip to Budapest, but came back to Szeged. Japan showed great character and just barely missed the top-eight places. In the first quarter, both teams searched for the rhythm and tried to get to know the other team and break up the defence. From the second quarter on, Japan dominated the match and floored Australia, scoring 5-2 in the second and third. The last quarter was quieter, but there were a lot of exclusions and even the head coaches gained yellow cards.

Match heroes
Kiyomu Date was the MVP, scoring four goals from six shots. Blake Edwards had the most shots (six) from Australia, but he scored just the one.

Turning point
From the second quarter, Japan started to press more and played better on the lines and scored twice as many goals as Australia.

Stats don’t lie
Japanese goalkeeper Katsuyuki Tanamura was outstanding with 18 saves. Japan converted half of its shots, but only scored three from seven opportunities in extra-player situations. Australia scored both of its penalties, but scored just one from seven extra-man plays.

Bottom line
Tim Hamill and the players weren’t happy with the result and in the whole tournament, too. Japan beat the Aussies for the first time in history and will fight for ninth place on Friday.

What they said
Yoshinori Shiota (JPN) — Head Coach
“We have never beaten Australia in an official game, so this was the first time. I’m very happy and proud of my players. We scored a lot and our tactic worked well. Ninth would be the highest for us, and it will be a huge challenge for us. We lost by one goal to Montenegro, so we were almost in the top eight, but I would be satisfied at the end.”
Kiyomu Date (JPN) — Four Goals, Player of the Match
“In the first and second quarters we missed some opportunities, but in the third we did well. I’m happy with my performance. Many thanks for our fans who came here and it meant a lot for me to hear them from the stands.”
Tim Hamill (AUS) — Head Coach
“Today was very disappointing with how we played Japan was very good; we weren’t good enough for this game. I think right now we are at the ninth-10th game as a team; the 11th-12th game is not where we want to be, regardless of being young and inexperienced.”
Blake Edwards (AUS) — Goal Scorer
“Japan was very good playing in the lanes, making good interceptions and counter-attacks. They are very experienced; we will learn from this game. We just need to go back and review our game and play better. We take any opportunity we have.”

GEORGIA 20 SOUTH AFRICA 7 

South Africa can play for higher places than it imagined before the tournament, thanks to the withdrawal from Canada with zero wins. Georgia had three really tough opponents before and finally found the way back to winning. In the first quarter, Georgia needed time to warm up and get the working temperature. From the second quarter, Georgia kept South Africa far from the goal and scored at least five. In the second half, Georgia made some mistakes in defence and that led to seven conceded goals — the most for South Africa in this tournament — and now has 15 goals.

Match heroes
Andria Bitadze was perfect from his three shots and earned the Player-of-the-Match award. Roarke Olver was the only South African player who scored two goals.

Turning point
South Africa was the underdog and tried its best, but Georgia was too strong, and couldn’t keep up with the physical and tactical advantage from the second quarter. At halftime, Georgia had already sealed South Africa’s fate.

Stats don’t lie
Georgia had eight exclusions, but South Africa could only convert one of those. Georgia almost had 50 per cent scoring accuracy and saving efficiency.

Bottom line
South Africa had a chance to play against a really good and experienced team and, with no wins, it will play for 11th place. Georgia is a small country, but played like a huge water polo nation and will face Japan for ninth place.

What they said
Vaughn Marlow (RSA) — Head Coach
“We had four tough games in a row. Everyone in the tournament was talking about Georgia. They had a good game against the host nation, Hungary, and only lost by one goal against Montenegro. I’m also very happy with my guys. We created a lot of scoring opportunities; we had a lot of exclusions, but our conversation rate wasn’t high enough. We showed great character and determination from the first quarter till the last. All things considered, I'm happy.”
Roarke Olver (RSA) — Two Goals
“It’s been a tough journey. We had a relatively hard pool. We started strong especially against Spain, which was our second game, then we went to Budapest and it set us back a little bit further than we expected. In the process, I wish we played with Canada, but we had good competitive games so far, for a country like us. The game against Australia is going to be a good one. We will come out firing, nothing to lose — the last game of the tournament. We will give it our all and try to challenge them. Certainly, their level is above us, but we will be giving a good run for the money.”