FINA World Youth C'ships Day 1-3 Men: Aussies go down to Croatia

POLO AIR INDONESIA - Home town heroes Australia have pushed tournament favourites Croatia to within two goals in their opening Group B game on day one of the FINA World Youth Championships at Challenge Stadium, Perth.

Australia led early and was able to restrict the more experienced Croatians, before the European heavyweight nailed two late goals to seal the 8-6 win.

Australian coach Chris Wybrow was encouraged by his team’s performance and cited a lack of concentration at crucial times as the reason for the narrow defeat.

“Croatia is the number one seed and we made a few mistakes which let them get a way early in the third period. While we are disappointed at the result those mistakes are easy to fix and overall the performance was very good,” Wybrow said.

“One of our main positives was our defence, particularly in extra-man, and we were also very good at channelling our shots at the keeper. So if we can keep those aspects of our going we should continue to improve.”

Australia began strongly taking the game to the more fancied Croatians. Matt Skinner opened the scoring with a fine strike from the right hand side.

Croatia got on the board courtesy of a goal to Luka Bukic, before Lachlan Edwards put the home team ahead with an extra man goal just seconds later.

The second term started evenly with both teams defending strongly. Croatian coach Mate Zeljak received a yellow card after Croatia conceded an exclusion. They were able to defend that situation and in their very next attack converted from eight metres through Andrija Basic.

Australia replied with an outside shot from Justin Trabinger, before Basic and Antun Goreta found the back of the net to give Croatia a 4-3 lead at half time.

Croatia jumped out of the gates in the third term establishing a quick three goal advantage, before local Perth stars Davis Verboon and Luke Pavillard reduced the margin to one.

Pavillard’s goal was a thunderous seven metre strike which snuck past the inside post of the keeper.

The early exchanges of the fourth period were tight with Australia keeper Anthony Hrysanthos holding firm in a brilliant display all game.

The young Australians continued to build the momentum and with 4min16sec remaining on the clock fellow Perth local William Mackay levelled the scores.

Croatia struck back immediately through Marino Cagalj and re-established their one goal lead before Bukic scored his second/third goal to hand his team an unassailable lead.

Hrysanthos, who formed the heart of Australia’s defence alongside centre backs Justin Trabinger and Matt Perrott, said it was a fantastic feeling to represent Australia at home world championships and said the boys were optimistic by their performance against Croatia.

“It’s pretty good start in our first game and Croatia is supposed to be the favourite for gold so to get to within two goals is great,” Hrysanthos said.

“I’m pretty happy with my game today and I felt like I was playing well, but it’s also great to play in front of a good defence.

“The whole experience has been amazing so far and to play in front of a home crowd with your friends and family in the stands is a great feeling and it definitely helped us play better.”

Australia’s next game is against South Africa at 8pm on Tuesday December 3.

Australian Youth Men

Anthony Hrysanthos, Blake Buckley, Davis Verboon, William Mackay, Luke Pavillard, Matthew Perrott, Matthew Skinner, Lachlan Edwards, Gordon Marshall, Justin Trabinger, Reed Cotterill, Ciaran Wolohan, Sam Cocokios

Result: Australia 6 lost to Croatia

Quarters: 1-2, 3-1, 2-2, 2-1

X man for:  Australia scored 4 from12

X man against: Croatia scored 4 from 11

AUS Scorers: Matthew Skinner, Lachlan Edwards, Justin Trabinger, Davis Verboon, Luke Pavillard, William Mackay

AUS Best: Anthony Hrysanthos, Justin Trabinger, Matt Perrott, Luke Pavillard

YOUTH MEN

Sat 1 December – Indoor 

HUN-CAN= 20-6

COL-RSA = 11-4

ROU-GRE = 5-8

TRI-IRI = 7-9

SRB-PER = 26-3

CRO-AUS = 8-6

ITA-KAZ = 26-5