FINA World Championships 2013: Water Polo Men: Day 3. USA 8 CAN 7

POLO AIR INDONESIA, The incredible North American rivalry between the United States and Canada continued in Barcelona with the USA winning 8-7 and taking second place in Group B. Canada was on the verge of levelling the game when the wing player inexplicably did not shoot for goal, instead passing to the far side of the pool as fulltime sounded.

Canada won the final quarter 4-3 and looked the better team but the gap appeared too much to bridge.

USA started strongly with two Alexander Bowen goals, followed by Canada’s Jared McElroy’s pair, the second a slider on extra-man advantage. The high-performing John Mann scored the only goal of the second quarter, giving USA a one-goal lead at the major break.

Bowen and Mann stretched the margin to 5-2 within three minutes of the second half. Canada replied through Nicolas Constantin-Bicari on counter, receiving a huge pass, rolling over and sending the ball over the head of Merrill Moses.

McElroy scored on the first attack of the fourth and the game was electric. Matthew De Trane and left-hander Janson Wigo took it out to 7-4 only for John Conway on a short drive and Constantin Kudaba, with a six-metre bounce shot, closing the gap.

USA captain Tony Azevedo made a rare appearance to the scoresheet with a penalty conversion. Canada went to a timeout with no joy, USA had a shot blocked and then Kevin Graham scored from the deep right at 0:50. It proved to be the last goal.

It was the sixth victory for USA over Canada at World Championships.