China's women's water polo team secured ninth place at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships with a decisive 10-6 victory over New Zealand in Monday's classification match. The win marks a redemption story after last year's narrow 16-15 loss to the same opponents in Doha.
Redemption Victory
From the opening whistle, China dominated with Yan Siya and Zhou Shang scoring three rapid goals within five minutes. New Zealand's Morgan McDowall fought back with two goals, but Zhang Yumian's last-second strike in the first period set the tone for China's sustained control.
Key Players Shine
Goalkeeper Shen Yineng delivered eight crucial saves, while Zhang, Zhou, Yan, and Wang Huan each scored twice. Yan finished as China's top scorer with 15 tournament goals. Team captain Wang Huan, named match MVP, emphasized the squad's potential: "We're a new team with young players gaining invaluable experience. With more time under our coach's guidance, we'll keep improving."
Building for the Future
The result highlights China's growing depth in water polo, with seven players making their World Championships debut. Analysts note the team's defensive discipline improved significantly compared to previous tournaments, holding New Zealand scoreless for extended periods in the second half.
