Stingers Defeat Canada in Playoffs

5-8 PLAYOFFS | AUSTRALIA 10 d CANADA 8

The Aussie Stingers stormed home to claim victory in their 5-8 playoff against Canada at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.

It was an emotional game for both teams, and extra riding on it for Canada, who with a win would have been one step closer to booking their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Having already secured their spot at the Games, the Aussie Stingers were eager to bounce back from a tough quarterfinals loss to the USA.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Water Polo Australia (@waterpoloaus)

Tokyo Olympian and NSWIS athlete Bronte Halligan opened proceedings, scoring the first goal of the game a minute into the first quarter.

Team mates Alice Williams and Sienna Green also scored goals in the first quarter, giving the Aussies a 3-1 lead at quarter time.

The Canadians closed the gap in the second quarter, with the scores locked at 3-3 at half time.

The Aussie Stingers rose to the challenge in the third quarter, Williams scoring another and Abby Andrews getting her first of the game.

But it was a dominant fourth quarter performance that carried the Aussies to victory, courtesy of five goals, two from Tokyo Olympian and NSWIS athlete Tilly Kearns.

Aussie Stingers goalkeeper and Olympian Gabi Palm said:

“It was a really close game today, we were neck and neck the whole way through.

“We were able to come away with a win at the end, after some really solid defence to keep them out and we had a couple of really crucial conversions,” she said.

Gabi Palm

The Aussie Stingers will play off for fifth on Friday 16 February at 11pm AEST (Saturday 17 February 12am AEDT). Watch LIVE and FREE on 9Now.

AUSTRALIA: 1. Gabi Palm; 2. Keesja Gofers; 4. Bronte Halligan (2); 5. Bridget Leeson-Smith; 6. Abby Andrews (1); 7. Charlize Andrews (1); 8. Sofie Pontre; 9. Zoe Arancini; 10. Alice Williams (3); 11. Tilly Kearns (2); 13. Gen Longman; 14. Sienna Green (1); 15. Dani Jackovich