AUSTRALIA CELEBRATE AFTER BEING MADE TO WAIT
There was a wild ending to the first-ever women’s Olympic water polo tournament and a glorious night for home supporters as Yvette
Higgins scored with 1.3 seconds left to give Australia a 4-3 victory over the United States.
But nobody was sure if Higgins goal would stand and both teams stood in the pool uncertain about the result, waiting to see if it would be ruled good. With the score confirmed, the near 17,000 spectators at the Sydney International
Aquatic Center let out a deafening roar to celebrate Australia's final victory in the pool.
American coach Guy Baker argued with officials as his
shocked team, one of the last teams to qualify here, looked
lost.
It was a game of wild swings and emotional highs, as
organizers had hoped when they added women’s water polo
after nearly 100 years as an men’s-only Olympic event.
Naomi Castle thrilled the crowd with 1:50 to go with her
shot from the left side that gave Australia a 3-2 lead.
But after Taryn Woods was whistled for a foul, Brenda
Villa scored with 26 seconds remaining to deadlock things
and perhaps set up the tournament’s first-ever overtime.
It wasn’t to be. An apparent Australian goal was
disallowed because of a US foul. Then the Aussies set up Higgins, who rifled it past goalie Bernice Orwig with scant seconds left.
No one knew what to do. Fans wanted to cheer, but the goal
judge had not made a call. And Baker was rushing up the
pool deck asking for clarification and extra time.
The official notice set off bedlam and brought a close to
the Olympics’ first women’s event.
Earlier, Russia beat Netherlands 4-3 on another late
comeback to win the bronze.
PETER WATTS
Sunday Times
