Kiwis can't quite reach Canada in World Champs opener

Canada and New Zealand clashed in the opener of the water polo for Kazan 2015. These two sides met two months ago in a remarkably similar outcome, 15-7 at the Intercontinental Tournament in Auckland.

Game 1, Group A: Canada vs. New Zealand 15-6 (5-1, 2-3, 4-2, 4-0) Referees: Fabio Toffoli (BRA), Tadao Tahara (JPN)

CANADA: Jessica Gaudreault, Krystina Alogbo 1, Katrina Monton 1, Emma Wright, Monika Eggens 3, Kelly McKee 1, Joelle Bekhazi 1, Shae Fournier 3, Carmen Eggens 1, Christine Robinson 2, Stephanie Valin 2, Dominique Perreault, Nicola Colterjohn. Head coach: Johanne Begin NEW ZEALAND: Brooke Millar, Nicole Lewis 1, Sarah Pattison, Danielle Lewis, Simone Lewis, Sarah Landry 1, Miranda Chase, Caitlin Lopes Da Silva, Emma Stoneman, Liana Dance 1, Kirsten Hudson 1, Jasmine Myles 2, Katherine Curnow. Head coach: Attila Biro Extraman: Canada: 3 for 6 New Zealand: 3 for 6 Penalties: Canada: 2 for 2 New Zealand: none

New Zealand looking for guidance from head coach Attila Biro during a first quarter time-out (image Waterpolo-World)

It took 30 seconds to score the first goal of the championships, it was a fine action shot from the centre from Canada’s Christine Robinson – which also signalled the start of the Northern American’s march. A penalty and an extra-player goal followed shortly for a 3-0 lead, New Zealand got on the score-board after 6:42 minutes but in a span of 41 seconds two more action goals virtually settled the game by the end of the first period (5-1).

The New Zealanders had a better period in the second, cutting the margin to three goals at 7-4 and again deep in the third at 8-5, however, the remaining 12 minutes saw a 7-1 thrashing from the Canadians.

The winning side posted a fine shooting percentage (15 for 33, 45%) in their opening game, as well as a fine team effort with eight players netting the goals.

New Zealand goalkeeper Brooke Millar looks for a release (image Waterpolo-World)

Brooke Millar saved nine attempts at goal for the Kiwis, whilst Jasmine Myles managed to score a double, and Sarah Landry managed a sneaky goal for her 22nd birthday. Other goals were scored by Kirsten Hudson, Liana Dance, and Nicole Lewis.

New Zealand will now look to their match against Spain on Tuesday at 9:30pm (Kazan local time) or 6:30am on Wednesday morning (NZT). Spain beat Kazakhstan 14-7 in their match on Sunday. You can set your alarm and follow Waterpolo-World on Twitter for updates during the match.

New Zealand will play Kazakhstan on Thursday.