Win and a loss for Australian World Cup champs Los Angeles

USA (December 5).— World Cup champion Australia had a win and a loss in exhibition women’s water polo internationals at Los Alamitos. In the build-up to the six-nation Holiday Cup from Thursday, Australia played only three of its World Cup winners — Emma Knox, Gemma Beadsworth and Kate Gynther — in losing to the host nation 11-10. The following night, World Cup champions Bronwen Knox and Suzie Fraser joined the team as Australia beat the Netherlands 12-11. Against the World League champion USA, Australia was four down in the final quarter before scoring three late goals. Goalkeeper Emma Knox saved the day for Australia in the second game with a brilliant performance in the dying minutes, stopping dead three Dutch attacks. Centre forward Beadsworth was in top form with two goals against the USA and four against the Dutch. Head coach Greg McFadden said he was pleased with the new-look team’s general performance but targeted extra-man in the first game and allowing too many easy goals in the second match as things to work on before the weekend. Results: Exhibition matches, Los Alamitos, USA: Day 1: USA 11 Australia 10 (G Beadsworth, S Mills, G Hadley, K Gynther 2, N Cuffe, A Hetzel). Day 2: Australia 12 (G Beadsworth 4, K Gynther, G Ralph 2, N Cuffe, G Hadley, J Santoromito, B Knox) Netherlands 11.

 

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