World League, Asia/Oceania prelims: Australia, China and Japan on way to Super Final

Lausanne (SUI), AKUATIK INDONESIA – The men’s and women’s Asia/Oceania preliminary tournaments of the FINA Water Polo World League 2013 were held in Auckland (NZL) from May 9-14.

In the women's field, 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Australia and 2011 World silver medallist China finished 1-2 of the rankings. Australia totalled five victories while China walked away with four wins and one loss. In round 1, Australia edged China by a tight score of 15-13 before imposing a harsh 17-7 defeat to the Asian squad in round 4.

China was the easy winner of the men’s competition, remaining unbeaten in all four games. Runner-up Japan, whose team totalled six points, also secured a Super Final spot. In the last game, China crushed the home squad, New Zealand, 14-7.

Australia and China (as host) join Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain, whose squads have also qualified for the women's Super Final taking place in Beijing (CHN) from June 1-6, 2013.

China and Japan will join European qualifiers Hungary, Montenegro, Russia (as host) and Serbia in the men's Super Final scheduled in Chelyabinsk (RUS) from June 11-16, 2013.

The remaining two men’s and women’s teams to take part in the Super Final will be decided at the end of the Americas preliminaries, starting May 24 in Los Alamitos (USA).

Final rankings Asia/Oceania (women):

1. AUS, 17 pts (6 wins); 2. CHN, 13 (4W, 2L); 3. NZL, 5 (2W, 4L); 4. JPN, 1 (6L)

Final rankings Asia/Oceania (men):

1. CHN, 12 pts (4W); 2. JPN, 6 (2W, 2L); 3. NZL, 0 (4L)