SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Behind four goals from Chris Humbert and three from 18-year-old Tony Azevedo, the U.S. water polo team beat the Netherlands 12-8 and likely held on to its medal chances at the Sydney Olympics.
U.S. coach John Vargas said his team was playing with the fire he wanted in its two opening losses. He wanted the Americans to keep it up.
They did and it worked Monday (Sunday night EDT).
Humbert, considered one of the world's top scorers from the 2-meter zone, had his best game of the Olympics. He took a dump pass from Wolf Wigo and threw in a backhand blast for America's first goal.
Humbert's short goal with 56 seconds left in the opening quarter put the United States up for good, 3-2.
Azevedo, the youngest player ever on the U.S national water polo team, followed with his second goal about 50 seconds later and America was up 4-2.
The United States had already lost to Group B powers Croatia and Yugoslavia. Gold-medal favorite Hungary comes on Tuesday (Monday night EDT).
A loss to the Dutch could have sunk the Americans, who would only have an improved Greek team left in round-robin play.
The Dutch fell to 0-3-0 in group play. The top four from the two pools advance to medal contention starting Friday.
The United States had trouble clearing space down low for Humbert and others to operate against Croatia and Yugoslavia. It had no such problem here.
Kyle Kopp, a scary-looking 6-foot-8, scored twice fighting off Dutch defenders from close in.
When Ryan Bailey, one the team's youngest members, fought off Arno Havenga near the net with 4 seconds left in the third quarter to put the United States up 10-6, he screamed and splashed his fist into the water.
And why not? America was back in the medal chase.
Things won't be easy. Hungary, a country that has won the most water polo golds with six, has looked ready to take its first since the 1976 Games after victories over Greece and the Netherlands.
The Dutch got three goals from Harry van Der Meer and two from Marco Booij. But they could not hold off the charging Americans, who seemed to swim circles around them.
U.S. captain Chris Oeding was a quarter-pool length ahead of the defense for his goal as goalie Arie van de Bunt shouted at his defense.
The Netherlands has round-robin games left with Greece and Croatia.United States 12, Netherlands 8
By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Behind four goals from Chris Humbert and three from 18-year-old Tony Azevedo, the U.S. water polo team beat the Netherlands 12-8 and likely held on to its medal chances at the Sydney Olympics.
U.S. coach John Vargas said his team was playing with the fire he wanted in its two opening losses. He wanted the Americans to keep it up.
They did and it worked Monday (Sunday night EDT).
Humbert, considered one of the world's top scorers from the 2-meter zone, had his best game of the Olympics. He took a dump pass from Wolf Wigo and threw in a backhand blast for America's first goal.
Humbert's short goal with 56 seconds left in the opening quarter put the United States up for good, 3-2.
Azevedo, the youngest player ever on the U.S national water polo team, followed with his second goal about 50 seconds later and America was up 4-2.
The United States had already lost to Group B powers Croatia and Yugoslavia. Gold-medal favorite Hungary comes on Tuesday (Monday night EDT).
A loss to the Dutch could have sunk the Americans, who would only have an improved Greek team left in round-robin play.
The Dutch fell to 0-3-0 in group play. The top four from the two pools advance to medal contention starting Friday.
The United States had trouble clearing space down low for Humbert and others to operate against Croatia and Yugoslavia. It had no such problem here.
Kyle Kopp, a scary-looking 6-foot-8, scored twice fighting off Dutch defenders from close in.
When Ryan Bailey, one the team's youngest members, fought off Arno Havenga near the net with 4 seconds left in the third quarter to put the United States up 10-6, he screamed and splashed his fist into the water.
And why not? America was back in the medal chase.
Things won't be easy. Hungary, a country that has won the most water polo golds with six, has looked ready to take its first since the 1976 Games after victories over Greece and the Netherlands.
The Dutch got three goals from Harry van Der Meer and two from Marco Booij. But they could not hold off the charging Americans, who seemed to swim circles around them.
U.S. captain Chris Oeding was a quarter-pool length ahead of the defense for his goal as goalie Arie van de Bunt shouted at his defense.
The Netherlands has round-robin games left with Greece and Croatia.
