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(Beijing, March 18) In the opening game of the "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 Water Polo China Open held on March 18 at Beijing's Ying Tung Natatorium, host China suffered setback at the hands of Australia, winners of the 2000 Olympic Games.
Three minutes 14 seconds to the end of the first period, China opened the score thanks to a successful side shot by Liu Ping. Soon Australia's No. 11 Melissa Rippon tied the scored with a vigorous frontal shot.
Two and a half minutes into the second period, Australia began to show its strength, scoring twice in a row to lead 3-1. The host team also strengthened their attacks, but with the Australians launching a fierce offensive the period ended 6-2 in favor of the guest team.
In the third period, Australia enjoyed a two-minute numerical advantage as a Chinese player committed an exclusion foul. However, they twice shot at the crossbar of the goal and the score stood 6-3 after a long shot from the Chinese team. It was only in the last minute that the Australians added one more goal on a fast break through the Chinese goal, 7-3.
The last period saw the Chinese team twice bringing threats to their opponents, making it 7-4 with a powerful shot from six meters away through No. 10 Ma Huanhuan. One minute later, Australia scored again with a left side toss-up shot by No. 12 Amy Hetzel. Despite their technical inferiority the Chinese players managed to add two more goals before the game ended 9-6.
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