China beat USA to reach water polo final

The Chinese women's water polo team stunned the United States 9-7 in the semifinals of the FINA World League Super Final here Wednesday.

China will meet the winner between Hungary and Russia in the final Thursday, reports Xinhua.

The hosts, runners-up at the 2011 Shanghai world championships, showed good defence 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 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 US before the World League Super Final, and we've beaten them twice here."

 

China had stunned the US in a 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."