New Zealand fall to Russia at Junior Worlds
RUSSIA 18 vs. 10 NEW ZEALAND
(4:2, 5:2, 4:2, 5:4)
Russia have beaten New Zealand 18-10 at the FINA World Women’s Junior Water Polo Championships in Volos, Greece on Thursday.
The best New Zealand can now place is 9th, and the worst is 12th. The Kiwis will clash with the losing team between Mexico and Canada for the semifinal for the 9th/10th playoff.
TEAM: Grace Tobin (1), Ema Carević (1), Taylor Sheehan, Liana Dance (1), Katie McKenty (1), Sarah Doyle, Emily Nicholson (1), Annabel Harman (3), Jessica Milicich, Ricci Ferigo (2).
Russia were there strictly for business and quickly put three goals in the net despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Jess Milicich, where Russian captain Tatiana Zubkova executed twice. Annabel Harman pegged one back for New Zealand, as did Grace Tobin in the next possession for 3-2 midway through the quarter. Russia scored again in the last minute for 4-2 after the first eight minutes.
A wall of Kiwi arms stops a Russian attack (photo: volos2015.com)
The Russians got on the board twice more before Katie McKenty managed to net one from a man up play, which was matched by Ferigo who did the same 57 seconds later for 7-4.
Russia found the goal twice more through captain Zubkova and Valeriia Kolmakova before the half elapsed for 9-4 with two quarters left in the match.
Ricci Ferigo opened the scoring for the third quarter with an early counterattack to bring New Zealand within four goals. But Russia doubled their lead with four more goals before the Kiwis responded through Annabel Harman for her second goal of the match. The score sat at 13-6 heading into the final break.
McKenty spots a gap in the Russian defence (photo: volos2015.com)
Captain Carević scored first in the final quarter for New Zealand’s third man-up goal of the match. Liana Dance found her seventh goal of the championships from centreforward for 14-8 down with 4:34 left on the clock.
A penalty was called against New Zealand which was scored by Daria Ryzhkova despite effort from Milicich.
Annabel Harman found her third of the match and eighth of the championships from a 5 on 4 for 16-9. Emily Nicholson backed that up with a counterattack goal, and her first of the tournament, that went past the arms of Russia’s goalkeeper.
Annabel Harman has scored six goals for New Zealand in the last two games (photo: volos2015.com)
Russian captain Zubkova scored her sixth goal of the match for the final say as the score stuck at 18-10 at the final whistle.
"Centre forwards were a dominant part Russia's attack," said goalkeeper Jess Milicich, "which forced us to play a constant drop on defence."
New Zealand found results under the direction of coach Attila Biro, who outlined that movement and driving were key to breaking Russia's heavy press defence.
"More often than not we got a goal or an exclusion." said Katie McKenty. "Unfortunately we worked that out too late in the game."
New Zealand can be proud of their performance today, with Russia only edging ahead by a few goals each quarter.
"It was an amazing opportunity and we fought hard until the last whistle." said Liana Dance. "Unfortunately, at the end of the day Russia stepped up and took the win."
The Kiwis will have to wait a few hours to see who they face on Friday for the 9th-12th classification semifinal.
"We are excited to come up against Mexico or Canada." said Ricci Ferigo.
Canada placed second in Group C, whilst Mexico placed third in Group D.
