Both sides went into the match with a win and a loss to their names with the aim to finish second place in Group A.

An evenly matched game, a host of missed and blocked shots, saw the Aussie lead at the half time break 6-4. The second half saw the Spaniards regain some momentum to level the scores at the third quarter break, before a one goal a piece fourth quarter saw the match draw with a 8-8 score line.

Rio Olympian Isobel Bishop said the new look Aussie Stingers continue to develop as a team and they’ll now regroup for the next match.

“It was a good tough game against Spain today… they always bring out some really solid plays and they have some really good key players in their team.

“We continue to work on our systems and keep pushing forward and we’re really making some strong connections in the pool which is really nice to see,” she said.

Image courtesy Catharyn Hayne Photography

The draw sees the Aussies finish in third place on goal difference count-back. They will now take on Canada in the quarterfinals, with their Day 5 game to be against either Russia or Republic of South Africa dependant on results.

Results from other matches saw Russia defeat China 19-11 to finish top of Group A, while in Group B, New Zealand defeated Republic of South Africa 10-4, and the United States defeated Canada 17-3.

Group A - 1. Russia; 2. Spain; 3. Australia; 4. People’s Republic of China

Group B - 1. United States of America; 2. Canada; 3. New Zealand; 4. Republic of South Africa

Match #13. 3.00pm: (2A vs 3B) ESP vs NZL

Match #14. 4.30pm: (3A vs 2B) AUS vs CAN

Match #16. 6.00pm: (1A vs 4B) CHN vs USA

Match #15. 7.30pm: (4A vs 1B) RUS vs RSA

Day 5 will see the winners progress to the semi-finals (top 4) while the losers will play a classification match to decide matchups for positions 5-8 of the final day of competition.

GAME 3: AUS V ESP RESULTS

Australia 8 Spain 8

Qtr time scores: 2-1; 4-3; 1-3; 1-1

Shots on Goal: AUS 7/12 - ESP 7/13

Extra Man: AUS 4/9 - ESP 5/8

** Full fourth quarter statistics not available at time of publishing

AUSTRALIA: 1. Lilian Hedges, 2. Keesja Gofers, 3. Hannah Buckling (2), 4. Bronte Halligan, 5. Isobel Bishop (2), 6. Bronwen Knox, 7. Rowie Webster (2), 8. Amy Ridge (1), 9. Zoe Arancini (1) 10. Alice Williams, 11. Morgan Baxter, 12. Pascalle Casey, 13. Gabriella Palm.

Full Game Stats: http://www.livewaterpolo.com/92225/summary

AUSTRALIA’S FINA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Day 4 Friday, 7 September - AUS vs CAN 3.30pm (6 September 8:30pm AEST)

Days 5-6, 7-9 September – TBC