USA, Australia & Spain Improve To 2-0 In Women’s Olympic Water Polo Tournament

2020 TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

The United States, Australia and Spain each moved to 2-0 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic women’s water polo tournament on Monday, winning their respective matchups fairly decisively to give each nation four points early on in the Group Stage.

Americans Move To 2-0 In Group ‘B’

After toppling host Japan by a score of 25-4 in their opener on Saturday, the Americans defeated China by a score of 12-7, with starters Makenzie Fischer (3) and Rachel Fattal (2) leading the way by scoring a combined five goals.

Seven other players got on the scoreboard as the U.S. now sits atop Group ‘B’ with four points and a staggering +26 goal differential. The Americans are eyeing a third straight Olympic gold medal.

China falls to 0-2 after dropping their opener to ROC (Russian Olympic Committee), 18-17, on Day 1.

In the other Group ‘B’ match on Monday, ROC tied with the Hungarians, 10-10, in what was Hungary’s first contest of the tournament. ROC sits second to the U.S. with three points in Group ‘B’ thus far.

Australia, Spain Sit Atop Group ‘A’

In Group ‘A’ action, Australia defeated the Dutch, 15-12, and Spain topped Canada, 14-10, both earning their second wins of the tournament.

Abby AndrewsRowie Webster and Hannah Buckling each recorded a hat trick for the Aussies, while Spain’s Bea Ortiz had a four-goal performance.

Australia beat Canada on Day 1, 8-5, and Spain coasted by South Africa with a whopping 29-4 victory.

The two nations are currently tied atop the Group ‘A’ standings with four points, but Spain holds the advantage with a +29 goal differential.

GROUP A STANDINGS

Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1  Spain 2 2 0 0 43 14 +29 4
2  Australia 2 2 0 0 23 17 +6 4
3  Netherlands 1 0 0 1 12 15 −3 0
4  Canada 2 0 0 2 15 22 −7 0
5  South Africa 1 0 0 1 4 29 −25 0

GROUP B STANDINGS

Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1  United States 2 2 0 0 37 11 +26 4
2  ROC 2 1 1 0 28 27 +1 3
3  Hungary 1 0 1 0 10 10 0 1
4  China 2 0 0 2 24 30 −6 0
5  Japan 1 0 0 1 4 25 −21 0

The women’s competition will resume on Wednesday, including a matchup between the United States and Hungary in Group ‘B’, and the Dutch going head-to-head with Spain in Group ‘A’.

LEADING GOAL SCORERS

  1. Bea Ortiz (ESP) / Ekaterina Prokofyeva (ROC), 8
  2. Anna Espar Llaquet (ESP) / Stephanie Haralabidis (USA) / Margaret Steffens (USA) / Roser Tarrago Aymerich (ESP), 6

LEADING GOALKEEPERS (% BLOCKED)

  1. Lea Yanitsas (ESP), 72%
  2. Ashleigh Johnson (USA), 67%
  3. Claire Wright (CAN), 49%

0
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

Read More »