The Australian Women’s U20 team have delivered a convincing 17-2 win over Kazakhstan in the opening game of the 2023 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championships in Portugal.

The Aussies dominated from the outset in both their attack and defence, managing to keep Kazakhstan scoreless in the first half to set up a 6-0 at half time.

While Kazakhstan managed to get a goal a piece in the final two quarters, the Aussies were too strong.

Australian Women’s U20 Head Coach Jo Clark said: “We came out fighting we came out playing our Aussie style of game and got the 17-2 win. The win was a real team effort.

“We stuck to our team plan, the girls really went in there confident.  First games nerves will always happen but they really went in there and took one attack, one defence at a time and stuck to that through the entire game.

“Next is India, not too sure what to we’ll be up against, haven’t seen India play before however we’ll stick to our game plan and go out an play our style of game.”

Nioka Thomas said the team came into the first match with strong preparation and she was pleased to see the team get a strong win.

“It was a good start for the team and getting some confidence in there.

“[In the lead in] we played some good quality teams in the Netherlands, Spain and Canada, so we’ve had a good preparation working on fine tuning the little things to be prepared for the Tournament.

“Coming up is India, they are a bit of wildcard. We will have to start strong and give them what we have,” he said.

For full results – click here.

Australia: Kate Blew (Mermaids, QLD); Tayla Dawkins (Henley Sharks, SA); Eve Gath (North Brisbane Polo Bears, QLD); Sienna Green (Sydney Uni, NSWIS); Samantha Hardingham (Sydney Uni, NSWIS); Samantha Henderson (Sydney Uni, NSWIS); Jasmine Higgs (Drummoyne, NSWIS); Tara Logan (Richmond, VIC); Molly Nasser (Mermaids, QLD); Magali Ogg (SNB Breakers, NSW); Anneliese Pamp (Sydney Uni, NSWIS); Emma Putt (Triton, WA); Layla Smith (UTS Balmain, NSWIS); Taafili Taoso (Mermaids, QLD); Nioka Thomas (UTS Balmain, NSW)

GAME 2: Coming up Australia vs India, Sunday 10 September 7:30pm AEST

Story and photo courtesy of Water Polo Australia

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