SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- The Netherlands, the defending World Cup champion, joined Australia in the medal round at the first-ever Olympic women's water polo tournament with a 7-4 victory over Canada on Tuesday night (Tuesday morning EDT).
Danielle de Bruijn scored twice as the Netherlands took a 3-0 lead and held on for its third straight win at the Sydney Games.
Canada got within 5-4 when Johanne Begin made a penalty shot with 1:53 to go in the third quarter. But Edmee Hiemstra tapped in a pass from Ingrid Leijendekker early in the final quarter as the Dutch regained control.
Karin Kuipers also had two goals for the Dutch.
The Netherlands, which lost its opener here to the United States, has qualified for the medal round along with Australia.
The Australians defeated the Americans, 7-6, earlier in the session.
Canada, 1-2-1, can clinch a medal spot with a win Wednesday (Tuesday night EDT) over Australia in the final preliminary round. The Canadians can also qualify if Russia, also 1-2-1, loses to the Netherlands in its final opening-round contest.
The United States, third behind Australia and the Netherlands, is also in good shape for the medal round, needing to beat winless Kazakstan in its last game.
Netherlands 7, Canada 4
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- The Netherlands, the defending World Cup champion, joined Australia in the medal round at the first-ever Olympic women's water polo tournament with a 7-4 victory over Canada on Tuesday night (Tuesday morning EDT).
Danielle de Bruijn scored twice as the Netherlands took a 3-0 lead and held on for its third straight win at the Sydney Games.
Canada got within 5-4 when Johanne Begin made a penalty shot with 1:53 to go in the third quarter. But Edmee Hiemstra tapped in a pass from Ingrid Leijendekker early in the final quarter as the Dutch regained control.
Karin Kuipers also had two goals for the Dutch.
The Netherlands, which lost its opener here to the United States, has qualified for the medal round along with Australia.
The Australians defeated the Americans, 7-6, earlier in the session.
Canada, 1-2-1, can clinch a medal spot with a win Wednesday (Tuesday night EDT) over Australia in the final preliminary round. The Canadians can also qualify if Russia, also 1-2-1, loses to the Netherlands in its final opening-round contest.
The United States, third behind Australia and the Netherlands, is also in good shape for the medal round, needing to beat winless Kazakstan in its last game.
