Tony Azevedo scored three goals and the US used stifling defense to upset world No. 1 Croatia 7-5 in Olympic preliminary play yesterday, the most significant US men’s water polo victory in two decades.
The win, the most surprising of the week at Yingdong Natatorium, could be meaningless if the US do not beat Germany tomorrow. But if the Americans win, they would earn a spot in the quarter-finals and would have an outside shot at advancing directly to the semi-finals.
The US (3-1) never trailed against the mustachioed Croats (3-1), getting an early power-play goal from Azevedo, building a three-goal lead in the second quarter and holding on down the stretch.
PHOTO: EPA
“It’s huge,” US coach Terry Schroeder said. “They were playing as well as anyone here .... it’s a huge boost, but it doesn’t mean anything unless we win Monday.”
Tim Hutten, Ryan Bailey, Peter Varellas and Adam Wright also scored for the US, who held the Croatians to 0-for-15 shooting from the 5m mark. Goalkeeper Merrill Moses stopped 11 of 16 shots.
When it was over, the Americans celebrated in the pool much longer than usual — savoring every second of the victory.
The Americans came to Beijing as long shots to return to the medal stand for the first time since 1988.
But the players’ confidence grew with victories against China and Italy. They found even more hope in a 4-2 loss to Serbia two days ago. The US had several chances to upset the Serbs, but Azevedo was 0-for-8 shooting, including a missed penalty shot.
“Tony’s one of the best players in the world,” Schroeder said. “Serbia really shut him down and he came out with something to prove today. He came out with a little fire in his eyes and did a great job for us, found those holes and was able to put the ball away.”
Azevedo scored the team’s first two goals yesterday, both in extra-man situations. His third was the most impressive.
He lifted his upper body out of the water, and with two defenders in his face, swayed to the left and zipped the ball past four flailing arms and the goalie. His acrobatic goal made it 6-4 with about 5 minutes to play.
Maro Jokovic pulled the Croats within one, 6-5, with 2 minutes, 17 seconds remaining. But Bailey’s power-play goal from the right wing with 1 minute, 33 seconds left gave the Americans the cushion they needed to hang on from there.
In other games yesterday, Germany (2-2) beat Italy (1-3) 8-7 to stay alive and Greece (1-3) defeated Canada (0-4) 13-7 in a match-up of previously winless teams.
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