Undefeated Australia beat Japan 13-6 in the morning and finished the eight-game schedule over seven days with a resounding 16-4 eclipse of New Zealand, who had improved from their 25-0 loss to the Sharks on day one.

Sydneysider Gavin Woods scored four goals for the Sharks against Japan while Queenslander Rhys Howden top-scored with three against the Kiwis.

The team now heads home before travelling to Italy for the Super Finals in Genoa on June 16-22, playing against the two top teams from each of the two European, one African and Americas zones.

China, who finished second in the Asia-Oceania zone, will accompany Australia to the Super Finals.

Results:
FINA World League, men, Asia-Oceania zone, Tokyo, Japan:
Day 7: Australia 13 (G Woods 4, G Richardson 3, R Moody 2, P Figlioli, A Martin, T Neesham, S McGregor) Japan 6, China 11 New Zealand 7, Australia 16 (R Howden 3, N O’Halloran, R Maitland, R Moody, S McGregor, G Richardson 2, J Beadsworth, J Cotterill, P Figlioli) New Zealand 4, Japan 7 Iran 4.
Final points: Australia 24, China 18, Japan 12, New Zealand 2, Iran 1.

Match reports

Australia v Japan

On the last day of the Asia-Oceania FINA Men’s World League Tournament, Australia once again showed their superiority with a 13 – 6 victory over home team Japan in front of a sold out audience at the Tokyo International Gymnasium.

The Japanese squad played with a younger team this time, leaving out key players and putting in high school ballers Jun Takeda and Mitsuaki Shiga. In the first period, Australia started out strong as usual, scoring in the first 25 seconds from 2m by team captain Gavin Woods. Australia then scored on two man-up plays to go up three goals to zero. Then Japan scored on a 5m penalty shot by team captain Taichi Sato. The Aussies would score one more goal on another man-up play before the end of the first period. Australia went three-for-three attempts on man-up situations. The score going into the second period was 4 – 1 Japan trailing behind Australia.

In the second period, with Australia resting most of their starters, Japan was able to produce two goals while only slowing the Australian offense to three goals. It was a powerful struggle in hole set with Japan scoring their first goal from 2m and the other on a man-up play, and Australia scoring their first two goals from 2m and last on a man-up play. At half, Australia had increased their lead by one, leading 7 – 3. In the third period, a rested Japan attacked first with two goals in the first two and a half minutes to cut Australia’s lead to two. Australia then scored on a counter-attack by Gavin Woods. In return, Japan answered by converting on a man-up goal by Taichi Sato mid-way through the period to go back to within two. Then, Australian gun Pietro Figlioli replied with a man-up goal just under the three-minute mark. Australia finished off the period with two more counter-attack goals to gradually pull away from Japan. The score going into the fourth period was 11 – 6, Australia.

In the final period, Japan wasn’t able to convert on anything. Taking only five shots and scoring on none of their three man-up plays, Australia shut out Japan with two counter-attack goals, both by Grant Richardson. The final score was 16 – 3, Australia defeating Japan. (Report submitted by Jake Akira Yokota)

Australia v New Zealand

This was the second and final meeting in the World League of these two teams. New Zealand tried hard to not repeat their performance in the first round. The first two minutes started off just as it did earlier in the week with Australia netting two early goals. But New Zealand would take advantage of a man-up situation and score on a shot by tournament leading-scorer Jonathan Ross. The Australians just shrugged it off and netted three more goals by the end of the period with one by Jamie Beadsworth, and two by Rhys Howden. Australia then led by a score of 5 – 1.

The second period was pretty much a repeat of the first period with Australia once again outscoring New Zealand five-goals-to-one. Australia’s Sam McGregor and Tim Neesham would each net two goals apiece, as well as a goal from Ryan Moody before Johnathon Ware was able to score for New Zealand. The first half ended with Australia doubling their lead 10 – 2.

In the third period, New Zealand was able to slow the Australian offense to only three goals, albeit they were not able to convert any goals of their own. The three Australian goals were all from man-up plays, the first one from Ryan Moody, the second from Grant Richardson, and the third by Pietro Figlioli. Going into the final period, Australia still had a very commanding lead of 13 – 2.
In the final period, the Kiwi’s fought hard and netted two goals by Conor Lui-Fakaotimanava and another by Jonathan Ross. These two goals were only after Australia netted three earlier in the period. Australia went on to finish-off New Zealand by a score of 16 – 4. (Report submitted by Jake Akira Yokota)

Aussie Sharks take two more scalps in World League
Tokyo, Japan (June 1).—
The Aussie Sharks hardly raised a sweat when beating China 19-6 and Iran 20-1 In FINA World League men’s water polo matches here yesterday. Playing in the Oceania-Asia zone, the Sharks made it six from six and have already done enough to book passage alongside second-ranked China to the Super Finals in Genoa, Italy on June 16-22.
The final day sees the Sharks have a second crack at New Zealand to round out the zone and set sights on gaining a second consecutive medal at the Super Finals.

In this third game of the second round of the Asia-Oceania preliminary FINA Men’s Water Polo World League 2008 tournament, Australia destroyed Iran 20 - 1.

Match reports:

Australia v China

In this third game of the second round of the Asia-Oceania preliminary Men’s Water Polo World League 2008 tournament, Australia easily defeated China 19 – 6.

Similar to their first meeting, Australia beat China fairly easily, except this time, Australia took command of the game right from the start, scoring three goals, all within the first two minutes, before China could score themselves. With the score at 3 – 1, Australia leading, Australia then continued to batter the Chinese defense with three more unanswered goals before the end of the first period. Adding to all this, at the end of the period, Chinese player Beiming Wang emerged from the water with a gash to his right eye-lid, making him unable to complete the rest of the game. That brought the total number of injured players unable to play to two, Lijun Yu (from day 2), and now Beiming Wang.

Leading 6 – 1 at the start of the second period, Australia put another past the Chinese goalkeeper on an outside shot by Rob Maitland, his second of the game. China then scored two back-to-back goals on outside shots by Zhongxing Liang and Feihu Tan respectively, cutting Australia’s lead to four goals. Then, in the last minute of the first half, Australia once again scored, this time from lefty powerhouse Ryan Moody on the right inside post on an extra-man play. At the end of the first half, the score was 8 – 3, Australia still with a commanding lead. In the third period, Australia outscored a sluggish China seven goals to one, further distancing themselves from each other. Finally, in the last period, Australia scored four goals to China’s two. The final score of the game was 19 – 6, with Australia defeating China again. In this game, eight of Australia’s players scored, while China only had four scorers. (Report submitted by Jake Yokota)

Australia v Iran

Despite facing a much more determined Iran than the one they faced in the first round, Australia had absolutely no problem beating them just as badly as the first time. In the first period, Australia easily handled Iran going one-for-one on man-up situations and scoring at will from up top, from 2m, and on counter-attacks. The first period would end with Australia shutting out Iran, 5 – 0.

The second period started off with a heater from outside from Australia’s Pietro Figlioli, who supposedly has one of the fastest shots is the world. Australia then continued to put away Iran goal after goal. Iran was only able to convert on a single man-up situation with a goal from inside by Meysam Jafari. Iran was outscored seven goals to one in the second period. The score going into half-time was 12 – 1, Australia with a very commanding lead. In the third period, Australia slowed their attack and netted only three goals, one by John Cotterill, and two by Rhys Howden. Iran on the other hand was left scoreless this period. The score going into the fourth period was 15 – 1, Australia.

In the last period, Australia would continue their slaughter scoring five unanswered goals, shutting out team Iran. Iran was not able to net any goals in the second half. The final score was 20 – 1, Australia defeating Iran. (Report submitted by Jake Yokota)

Aussie Sharks claim fourth World League victim in China
Tokyo, Japan (May 29).—
The Aussie Sharks cleared their first hurdle in the Asia-Oceania zone of the FINA World League by beating all the other particiants in round one here.

The Aussie Sharks defeated China 14-6 before a rest day tomorrow and then the second round to confirm participation in the Super Finals in Italy next month.

Match report:

The first period of Game 9, China vs. Australia, was very close and exciting, with both teams trading off goals one-by-one.

Unfortunately, due to last night’s injury in their game against Japan, China was without their ace 2m man Lijun Yu. Australia was the first to score with an outside shot from Tim Neesham. Then China answered back a minute later to tie the game. With 40 seconds remaining, China’s Beiming Wang scored from outside with a nice spin lob to tie the game once again at three apiece.

Then, with just 20 seconds remaining in the first period, Australia would take the lead again on an extra-man situation, giving them a one-point lead (4-3) going into the second period.

Australia overpowered the Chinese in the second period scoring the first three goals, two from Sam McGregor from outside, and the third from team captain Gavin Woods, increasing their lead to four. In the last 30 seconds of the first half, China would score on a penalty throw by Junmin Xie to put the score at 7-3 at halftime with Australia pulling away.
 
In the third period, Australia would once again extend their lead by scoring the first two goals. Then, through a barrage of ejections on both sides, three more goals would be netted by Australia, with only one by China. The Chinese would be outscored five goals to one bringing the score to 5–12 going into the last period.

The last period proved to be a low scoring defensive battle, with Australia netting two and China netting just one. The final score was 14–6, with Australia defeating China. (Report submitted by Jake Yokota)

FINA World League, Asia-Oceania zone, Tokyo, Japan, June:
Day 1: Australia 25 (A Martin 4, N O'Halloran, R Howden, J Cotterill, G Richardson 3, T Neesham, S McGregor 2, R Campbell, P Figlioli, R Maitland, G Woods, J Beadsworth) New Zealand 0, Japan 9 Iran 2, China 18 Iran 3, Australia 10 (P Figlioli 4, R Campbell, A Martin, S McGregor, R Howden, J Cotterill, G Richardson) Japan 5.
Day 2: China 13 New Zealand 5, Australia 18 (R Campbell 3, N O'Halloran, P Figlioli, T Neesham, S McGregor, G Woods, J Cotterill 2, R Moody, A Martin, R Howden) Iran 2.
Day 3: Australia 14 (J Beadsworth 4, T Neesham, S McGregor 2, R Campbell, R
Maitland, A Martin, R Howden, G Woods, J Cotterill) China 6.
 

Sharks rip through three countries in World League
Tokyo, Japan (May 27).—
The Aussie Sharks advanced through their first three games in the FINA World League, Asia-Oceania zone matches in Tokyo on the opening two days.

The Sharks started with a double-header, routing New Zealand 25-0 and beating Jaopan 10-5 on day one and then downing Iran 18-2 on day two. Day three will see the Sharks takes on the powerful Chinese.

Match reports:

Aust v NZ
In the second game of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League 2008 Asia-Oceania preliminary round on May 26, Australia easily defeated New Zealand by an overwhelming score of 25–0. By half-time Australia was leading 14–0.

The strong defence of the Aussies proved too much for the Kiwis. The strong fronting by the Australian 2m defence forced many steals and/or bad shots from New Zealand that only fueled team Australia’s counter-attack, during which most of their 25 goals came. Most of the shots from the New Zealand team were taken in haste, with just a few seconds remaining. Throughout most of the game, New Zealand’s 2m-hole set-up couldn’t gain a position to get a clean pass, let alone a shot.

However, the New Zealand team did have a few scoring opportunities. Two 5m penalties were awarded, but the first one skipped over the goal, and the second was blocked by the Australian goalkeeper. P. Howat of New Zealand also had a fast-break opportunity but was again stopped by the goalkeeper. Six ejections of the New Zealand players also contributed to the 25–0 beating from the Australians. All 12 field players for Australia scored in this game. (Report submitted by Akira Yokota)

Aust v Japan
In game four of the Asia-Oceania preliminary tournament of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League Tournament, Australia exhibited its shooting power with a 10–5 victory over the home team of Japan.

With Australia’s R. Moody in foul trouble very early in the game (two back-to-back exclusions within the first two-and-a-half minutes), things looked good for the Japan team, especially when Japan was able to convert on one of the man-up situations with a powerful shot from  K. Aoyagi (resulting in one of his three goals in the game), but the 
Australian team soon answered with two great outside shots from the Australian team captain P. Figlioli. The first period ended with Australia leading 2–1.

The second period was disastrous for team Japan. Australia, with its very powerful 6-5 offence, converted on both man-up opportunities and as well as a penalty shot. Australia’s defence only allowed Japan to take two shots, and neither of them resulted in goals. In the second period, Australia scored four points to Japan’s zero to increase the lead to 6–1 at halftime. In the second half, Japan fought hard to score on two man-up situations, and K. Aoyagi netted two goals from outside. Despite losing R. Moody to his third ejection in the third period, the Australians also fought back with two pairs of goals to make the final score 10–5. (Report submitted by Akira Yokota and Katsumi Kuroda)


Aust V Iran
On this second day of the Asia-Oceania FINA Men’s Water Polo World League 2008 tournament, Australia easily defeated Iran with a score of 18-2.

Although team Iran added one more player to its roster since yesterday, bringing its total number of players to 10, it seemed to 
have little effect on its performance. The first period witnessed goal after goal from the Australian counter-attack, and Iran could do little to stop them. The Iranians were only allowed two shots in the first period, while the Australians took 12. The first period ended with the Aussies in a comfortable 5–0 lead, shutting out Iran.

In the second period, Iran was able to slow down the Australian counter-attack and allowed only two goals, while Iran
netted its first goal (out of two) with a powerful shot from outside by Meysam Jafari, finishing the half at 7–1 for Australia. In the third period, Kambiz Afshari of Iran received his third ejection, excluding him from the rest of the game. Australia capitalised on this extra-man situation with a goal, and scored on four other occasions. Iran netted another goal in an extra-man situation, but unfortunately it would prove to be Iran’s last goal of the game, as it couldn’t stand up to the barrage of counter-attacks that once again resumed on the Australian side. The final score was 18–2, with Australia defeating Iran. (Report submitted by Akira Yokota)
 

National men's squad announced for Tokyo
Hobart (May 26).—
The squad for the National Men's Preliminary Round FINA Men's World League to be played in Tokyo (JPN) 26 May 2008 - 1 June 2008 has been announced.

The Squad selected is as follows;

Goal Keepers;
Luke Quinlivan (UWA Torpedoes)
Raf Sterk (KFC Breakers)

Centre Backs;
Richard Campbell (Wests waterpolo Magpies)
Anthony Martin (KFC Breakers)
Rob Maitland (Sydeny University Lions)
Sam McGregor (Sydeny University Lions)

Centre Forwards;
Jamie Beadsworth (Fremantle Mariners)
Ryan Moody (Victorian Tigers)
Gavin Woods (Balmain Tigers)

Drivers;
John Cotterill (Wests waterpolo Magpies)
Pietro Figlioli (KFC Breakers)
Rhys Howden (Brisbane Barracudas)
Tim Neesham (Victorian Tigers)
Nicholas O'Halloran (Fremantle Mariners)
Grant Richardson (Drummoyne Devils)