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BEIJING -- The Chinese women's water polo team beat London Olympic champions the United States 16-15 by shootout at the FINA World League Water Polo Super Final here on Saturday.
China, who finished fifth at the London Games, led the first two quarters 7-5 but the United States managed to equalize the point in the last minute of the fourth quarter 11-11.
In the shootout, Chinese goalkeeper Yang Jun made two perfect saves to help the hosts win the match 16-15.
"I was very relaxed," said Yang. "I think my opponents are more nervous than me."
China took a silver at the 2011 Shanghai worlds in the women's water polo, and Yang said they expect a top-three finish at the Barcelona worlds this July.
"We hope we can achieve top three," she said. "We didn't lost our confidence after the London Games."
In other matches Saturday, Olympic runner-up Spain beat Italy 9-8, Hungary beat Russia 11-10, and Australia beat Canada 12-8.
The Fina World League Water Polo Super Final runs from June 1-6. |
