China and USA win their opening matches – FINA World League
China in their first opening game defeated Netherland 7-5 in Women’s water polo FINA World League Super Finals at La Jolla, California. It was a huge victory for the Chinese as they defeated the Olympic champions in a tough match. The tournament is considered as the toughest one this year of women’s category. Top eight teams in the world are taking part in the tournament this year. China was unable to perform well in 2009 but proved well this year after their Spanish coach Juan Jane’s words had influenced on them.
As the match started China were looking to dominate right from the start. Chinese players tried to score early in the game and made attempts to stop the Dutch from scoring. China recently came from a series against United States of America and looks in top form. China claimed five extra man statistics from total seven whereas the Dutch were only able to grasp three. The Dutch in the first quarter were leading the score cards with 2-1 but TENG Feihu and GAO Ao led the Chinese ahead by the end of the first half. During the third quarter China grasped further lead in the match as they moved the score with the help of three goals to 6-3.
The Dutch swiftly made a comeback in the game and Iefke VAN BELKUM scored for the team followed by another magnificent goal by Biurakin HAKHVERDIAN. The score at the final period of the game was 6-5, Netherland with just one point deficit. The Dutch kept trying to score in the last minutes of the game when Yasemin SMIT tried to score but was stopped by Chinese goal keeper. With just 40 seconds left to play, China again tried to attack on Dutch goal post but did not find any lose hole to score. China soon went into a timeout and a match winning shot by Sun Yujun from a slanting angle was repelled by goalkeeper Ilse VAN DER MEIJDEN. The final goal of the match was made by Chen Yuan, who flicked the ball into the goal post beating the goalkeeper. China won the match with two goal margins and made a huge upset in the start of the tournament by defeating Netherland. Van DER MEIJDEN saved 20 goals whereas Chinese goalkeeper Yang Jun saved 11. These statistics show the dominance of China in the match.
In another Group B the World Champions, USA defeated Greece 11-9. For USA three goals were scored by Kameryn Craig, whereas their goalkeeper Elizabeth Armstrong saved 13 goals for her team. From Greeks, Antigoni ROUMPESI was the highest scorer with four goals while rest of the players failed to surpass USA defence and goal keeper. USA will now play against Australia on Tuesday evening. Team USA was in lead from the start of the match and the score at first quarter was 3-2 with USA leading with one point. In the second quarter team USA kept the score ticking and scored three more goals including two from Kameryn Craig. Team Greece also showed their dominance this time but still they were not able to cut one point deficit, as the score at halftime was 6-5. In the second half team Greece tried to cut USA lead but failed in the process as another goal was scored by Craig followed by Elsie WINDES and Lauren Wenger. As the final quarter came into play the scoreboard showed USA team leading with 3 points. It looked difficult for team Greece to capitalize in the game and win the match. Greece still fought back to tie the score with Maggie Steffens scored her first goal followed by Wenger and took the scorecard to 11-8. The Greeks tried to level the score but in the end they merely managed to score one more goal and the match was closed with two point’s deficit.
China will compete against Canada on Tuesday evening. The match would be tough as Canada defeated Hungry 11-9 in their opening match.
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