Water Polo: Qualifying spots sorted

Kaleigh Gilchrist (USA) in action during the Women's Intercontinental Water Polo Tournament. Photo / Dean Purcell

Four of the five qualifying spots for the World League Super Final in Shanghai next month were sorted out at the women's water polo intercontinental tournament in Auckland today.

Olympic champions the United States remain undefeated after belting Japan 17-0, Australia were comfortable 17-4 winners over Brazil, China beat New Zealand 14-6, but had to come from behind to do so, while Canada beat Kazakhstan.

The Netherlands, Italy and Spain have already nailed European places for the Super Final.

The four winners today are assured of a trip to Shanghai and will play off for the top four spots in semifinals at West Wave Aquatic Centre tomorrow, with the US playing Canada and China facing Australia.

One place in Shanghai remains and will go to the fifth-placed finisher on Sunday.

New Zealand must beat Brazil tomorrow to stay in the hunt, and the same applies in the other game, between Kazakhstan and Japan.

The US swamped Japan, an 8-0 second quarter sealing the match as a contest. Kameryn Craig's six goals were the individual highlight.

Canada were 6-0 up over Kazakhstan at halftime with the second spell more even. Christine Robinson, with three goals, was the pick of the Canadian attackers.

New Zealand rattled the Chinese early, leading 3-2 after the first quarter.

However world No 2 China reasserted themselves to dominate the last three periods, with Zihan Zhao, Cong Zhang and Guannan Nui each bagging three goals.

Jasmine Myles scored three for New Zealand, with Hannah Klein, Emma Stoneman and Liana Dance getting the others.

"The first quarter was really strong, and our defence was very good in the first half," Myles said. ''But the third quarter they kind of got away from us."

Australia were 12-3 up over Brazil at halftime, with seven players sharing the goals.