Water Polo: NZ junior women through to world championship quarterfinals

New Zealand are through to the quarterfinals of the junior women's world water polo championships following a decisive 14-5 win over Puerto Rico in Perth yesterday.

New Zealand showed the sort of form that saw them go unbeaten through pool play against stronger opponents faced the daunting prospect of beating tournament favourites the United States in the quarterfinals late tonight (NZ time).

The US beat another fancied team, Russia, 11-5 in pool play, sending a clear signal they are the team to beat.

"The USA are physically very strong but if we break their confidence early we should beat them," said a confident coach, Peter Szilagyi.

New Zealand beat Japan and drew with the Netherlands and Germany in pool play.

They took control from the start against Puerto Rico, opening up a 7-2 halftime lead they never looked like relinquishing.

Ashleigh Wootton scored five goals while Kirsten Hudson, Emma Gallager and Anna Sieprath all snared two.

"Today's game was our first really important game because it was in the knock out round," Szilagyi said.

"Our defence was very well organised but our offence could use some improvement."

Result:

New Zealand 14 (Ashleigh Wootton 5, Kirsten Hudson 2, Anna Sieprath 2, Emma Gallagher 2, Kelly Mason 1, Amy Logan 1, Lisa Van Raalte 1) Puerto Rico 5 (Paola Medina Montero 2, Adlin Belen Ojeda 2, Amanda Jose Ortz Irizarry 1). Halftime: 7-2.

Quarterfinals: USA v NZ, Greece v Spain, Netherlands v Russia, Australia v Canada

- NZPA