Australia's men have opened the FINA water polo World Cup with a gritty 11-8 victory over hosts Kazakhstan in Almaty.
Skipper Richie Campbell led the way with three goals, including the opener, while Aaron Younger's four second half goals proved the difference as the game went down to the wire.
Australia led by 3-1 after the first quarter, and held a one-goal advantage at both halftime and the final break - before Younger came to the fore with clutch efforts to seal the three-goal win.
Coach Elvis Fatovic was impressed with his side's late-game tenacity considering they were coming off a two-month break, but stressed there were obvious areas of improvement in the tournament.
"We need to improve areas of our defence," he said.
"However to win the first game of the competition is important, and it was a difficult win against the home nation who had a supportive crowd behind them."
The Sharks' next face European powerhouse Croatia on Wednesday evening AEST.
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