Canada Adds to Australia’s Problems

With the Sydney Olympics a little more than two months away, the Canadian women’s water polo team fired a warning shot Friday night.

Johanne Begin scored the go-ahead goal in the left corner of the net with 55 seconds remaining to defeat Australia, 6-5, at the Holiday Cup tournament at the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center.

With a win or a tie today against Russia, Canada will earn a rematch with the unbeaten U.S. team, which beat winless Kazakhstan, 13-2, Friday, in the championship final Sunday. The U.S. defeated Canada on opening night, 12-9.

Australia’s last shot against Canada ricocheted off the right post and that is how things have been going for the Aussies, who aren’t living up to their reputation as Olympic gold medal favorites. They’re 2-2 with a lackluster 32-29 goal differential at an event billed as the most important pre-Sydney barometer.

“This was a warning sign,” said Australia Coach Istvan Gorgenyi, pacing outside the locker room after the loss. “People have been talking about how we are going to win the Olympics. Maybe we are not the favorite. This game shows that nothing comes for free.”

Neither team led by more than one goal and Begin took over in the fourth quarter after the Aussies rallied to tie, 4-4. She scored on a blast from four meters with a little more than four minutes left for a 5-4 lead, then did it again with the game-winner after Australian Bridgette Gusterson was ejected.

Netherlands 11, Russia 9--The defending world champions are only 2-2. Russia fell to 1-3.

United States 13, Kazakhstan 2--Ellen Estes scored five goals and Rachael Scott had three. Olympic alternate Catherine von Schwarz, subbing for injured Robin Beauregard, played in her first game and also scored for the United States (4-0).