Water polo - Australia win on penalties to make semis

LONDON (Reuters) - Australia battled their way into the semi-finals of the women's water polo tournament on Sunday with a 4-2 win on penalties having survived a heart-stopping extra time period against a furious Chinese team.

The 20-18 victory meant that Australia, medal favourites who took home the bronze in Beijing four years ago, maintained their unbeaten track record after what was nearly a huge upset, China having failed to win in the tournament so far.

To the sound of huge roars from the crowd clad in the gold and green of Australia's sports teams, the eventual victors took the lead in extra time but then conceded before hitting the crossbar with two seconds to go as the tussle went to penalties.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Tom Pilcher)