‘We can take it to anyone’: Stingers qualify for water polo quarterfinals following dominant win over Canada

The Stingers can start looking forward to the knockout stages after their dominant win over Canada secured their place in the quarterfinals next week.

The Stingers are ready to atone for their disappointing defeat in the Tokyo quarterfinals as their undefeated campaign in Paris continued on Friday.

Australia’s speed in attack proved the difference as Bronte Halligan and Alice Williams both scored hat-tricks in the 10-7 win against Canada, confirming their place in this year’s Olympic quarterfinals.

In 2021, the Stingers only lost one game before falling to Russia 9-8 in the quarterfinals. Halligan is confident the team has developed in the years since and is well-placed for a deep run in Paris.

“I mean, you win some you lose some in sport. That’s the beauty of sport,” Halligan said.

“Tokyo was tough to be a part of, but this is a brand new group. And I think that’s exactly what we’re gonna try and do, just build on what’s happened.

“We want to bring the Stingers’ history with us, but we want to create our own legacy. And I think we’re really doing that and we’ll just stay in each moment and see where that takes us.”

Halligan was one of the Stingers’ best against Canada, finishing with three goals. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

The Australians have put together the best defensive record in the competition, conceding only 19 goals across their three matches.

Playing with a fast tempo in both attack and defence is the Stingers’ ethos and they believe their exciting brand of water polo will hold them in good stead for the week ahead, starting with their final group game against Hungary on Sunday.

“You’ve got to play your style but then also adapt and mould to each team’s style,” Halligan said. “Most importantly, we want to stay true to our Stingers’ style.

“(The Stingers’ style) is high energy, exciting and fun water polo. Hungary is a fierce competitor, they live, breathe eat and sleep water polo. But this Aussie Stingers group is exciting, and we want to play fierce water polo. If we can do that, we can take it to anyone.”

‘Pure excitement’: Stingers claim remarkable shootout win

Aussie teams love a penalty shootout. Who can forget Cortnee Vine’s heroics against France or the grey wiggle Andrew Redmayne dancing the Socceroos into the 2022 World Cup.

But on Wednesday in Paris, the Aussie Stingers drew on every bit of spirit they had as they secured a come-from-behind 15-14 victory in their group game against the Netherlands.

After trailing 3-1 at quarter time, the Stingers were the stronger team for the remainder of the match. When Sienna Green put the Aussies ahead by a goal with a minute to play, they looked set for victory.

However, the Dutch equalised to make the game 7-7 and send it to a shootout.

Water polo shootouts are unforgiving. The margins are smaller and the pressure feels heightened.

The Aussies celebrate their remarkable shootout victory. Picture: Andreas SOLARO / AFP

An early miss to Keesja Gofers put the Stingers on the back foot. Her second miss handed the Dutch another chance at victory.

But in a call back to that famous Redmayne moment, the Aussies subbed out keeper Gabi Palm for Genevieve Longman. She made two enormous saves, the final one on the Netherlands’ 10th shot to secure the win and give the Stingers their own Tillies moment.

“I think it’s a lot of reward for the hard work that this group has been doing and building,” Longman said.

“To finally put it on show has been excellent. Lots to build on and keep working forward. But it’s great to take the momentum from that game and know that we can all stand up and do it when it counts.”

Longman almost appeared to be ready-made for the moment as she showed nerves of steel.

And despite all eyes being on her, she felt a sense of calm. As a team, they had put her in a position where she could only succeed.

“I was just excited,” she said. “I think Gab and I are a team, we see it as interchangeable.

“We’re there to support each other and have done a lot of work and practice on that. And so for me, it was just pure excitement in getting there.

“All the pressure is on the shooter. We’ve just got to get in there and do our job. And that’s what we did today.

“I just enjoyed the moment, took a deep breath and just went for it.”

Palm and Longman embrace after the latter’s penalty shootout heroics. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Two from two in their group, the Stingers know nothing is guaranteed. But winning an intense battle like they did on Wednesday is perfect preparation for if they do make the knockout stages.

“It’s a long way to go,” Longman said. “But I think it’s really important for this group to be able to put together a performance like that.

“We were challenged and we had to come back. And the Dutch are an excellent team.

“But it’s a great momentum builder for us. And we just got to keep working and grinding away. And we know that we can make it work.”

Originally published as ‘We can take it to anyone’: Stingers qualify for water polo quarterfinals following dominant win over Canada