31/08/16

The New Zealand youth men have taken their first win of the FINA World Men’s Youth Water Polo Championships, defeating China 13-12 in the early hours of this morning.

Game Four: New Zealand 13 v China 12

Quarter scores: 5:1, 2:4, 4:3, 2:4

Team: Bae FOUNTAIN, Cayne DEW 4, Matthew MORRIS, Justin PICKERING 1, Troy ARMSTRONG 2, Dominic RANKIN-CHITAR 1, Jake BLUNDELL, Nick STANKOVICH 4, Nick PATERSON 1, Cooper STEWART, Christopher DOWNIE

Tauranga’s Cayne Dew was on fire in the first quarter: he scored four goals in the space of six minutes to help the New Zealanders to a 5-1 lead at quarter time.

“The boys had a good start but the intensity dropped through the game” said Waitakere goalkeeper Chirs Downie.

Downie impressed throughout the match, denying China on multiple occasions when he saved a huge 15 shots at crucial times – including a penalty save in the first quarter.

China clawed their way back into the match, and drew even 12-12 for the first time with just 1:46 left on the clock in the final quarter. The pressure piled on in a matter of seconds when the Kiwis lost the ball, and China came down the pool on a counter attacked. Downie kept up on his legs and stopped the Chinese from a late lead.

New Zealand countered, and Jake Blundell had front water to earn a penalty that was then converted by Stankovich to lead 13-12, and the Kiwis had done enough for their first win of the tournament.  

“We showed good resilience to pull off a hard-fought win” said Downie.

“We started quickly and had a good lead at end of the first,” added assistant coach Davor Carevic.

“We then dropped to their level and too many missed shots We gave them too many goals – something we will pay attention to against Kazakhstan”.

After three defeats (Croatia, Serbia, USA) and today's win over China, New Zealand now play in the quarterfinals for the 13^th-19^th place bracket. They take on Kazakhstan at 10:40pm Wednesday night NZST. Tune in live at mnesport.me