Australia sting Hungary to top water polo group

Alice Williams scored four goals as Australia beat Hungary to top their pool in women's water polo. (AP PHOTO)

Australia are the cardiac kids of the Olympic women's water polo tournament, winning another penalty shootout to top their pool for the quarter-finals.

The Stingers upset world No.2 Hungary on Sunday, winning 14-12 after scores were tied 9-9 at fulltime.

They are the only team among the men or women in Paris to have two penalty shootouts, after also beating the Netherlands earlier this week in the format.

water polo
The Stingers celebrate after beating Hungary in a penalty shootout at Olympic women's water polo.

Sunday's win left the Stingers unbeaten in Pool A with four wins and on Tuesday they will meet their fourth-placed team from Pool B in the quarters.

The Australian men also upset Hungary on Saturday to reach their quarter-finals.

"We are elated. Undefeated going into quarterfinals is insane," said Stingers star Alice Williams, who dominated with four goals.

"Two penalty shootout (wins) in the round games - we keep it interesting, that's for sure. My heart rate is through the roof, but it's really exciting and well deserved.

"I’m very proud of how we pulled that together (against Hungary), nerves of steel.”

As with the Dutch win, Australia took out goalkeeper Gabi Palm during the shootout and Genevieve Longman took her place.

The move again proved the difference, with Longman drawing a shot from Kamilla Farago that hit the post to put Australia ahead 3-2.

Williams then nailed her shot and Bronte Halligan also found the back of the net to seal the win.

Scores were tied for much of the game, with Australia going ahead after halftime and taking a two-goal lead in the last quarter.

But Hungary scored the last two goals, including the equaliser with 51 seconds left, to force the shootout.

Palm was mighty again for Australia, continuing her strong tournament with 13 saves.

“She's phenomenal. I could talk about her for hours," Williams said.

"She is our last line of defence, so important. She's having the tournament of her life.

"I want her on my team, not the other one, that's for sure.”

Hungary are second and regardless of what happens in the Canada-Netherlands game that will end Group A preliminaries, those three teams will join Australia in the quarters.

China are bottom with a 0-4 record, while Australia are the only unbeaten team in the five-nation group. 

Dorottya Szilagyi and Rita Keszthelyi scored two goals apiece for Hungary against the Stingers.

Australia have a rich history in women's water polo - they were key drivers in the lobbying that eventually prompted the IOC to give them Olympic status alongside the men.

Australia famously won the first women's gold medal at Sydney 2000 and also have two bronze medals, but have not reached the podium at the last two Games.

The United States have won the last three Olympic tournaments and remain the team to beat, lying second in Group B.

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