Players of China celebrates victory after the semifinal against the United States at the 2013 FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2013. China won 9-7. [Zhang Yu/Xinhua] |
The Chinese women's water polo team stunned the United States 9-7 at the semifinal of the FINA World League Super Final in Beijing on Wednesday.
China will meet the winner between Hungary and Russia at the final on Thursday.
The hosts, runners-up at the 2011 Shanghai world championships, showed good defense and led 7-4 after the third period. However, the United States, winners of the London Olympics, made several attacks in the last period and once levelled it 7-7. The Chinese stayed calm and scored two more to seal the win 9-7.
"We are so happy," said Chinese player Ma Huanhuan. "We had never beaten USA before the World League Super Final, and we've beaten them twice here."
China had stunned USA by shootout 16-15 in the group stage last Saturday.
"I think we have the strength to win the final," Ma added. "I am very relaxed. The result is not important. We are a more mature team now."
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)