Aussie women win water polo thriller at world titles

Australia's women's water polo team have held their jangled nerves to pip Greece by one goal in a world championship quarter-final thriller in Japan.

The Stingers prevailed 9-8 in Fukuoka on Monday night to advance to a semi-final against Spain.

Australia's rugged defence held firm in a scoreless last quarter - the Stingers had led 8-5 early in the third period before the Greeks rallied.

"It was hugely intense," Australia's captain Zoe Arancini told AAP.

"But that's what you train for, those moments.

"It was composure and our toughness, we were tough in our defence.

"It was frantic ... but our defence was outstanding."

Stingers coach Paul Oberman hailed the achievement of defeating the powerful Greek outfit, who finished second in last year's European championships.

"It was moreso the belief in ourselves," Oberman told AAP.

"We had the right game plan, we had the right tactics.

"They (Greece) are a very good team, they are going to score goals.

"It comes down then to belief in what we do. Our defence was working really well, our composure was really good in attack as well."

Oberman said those qualities came to the fore under fierce pressure in the frenzied final quarter.

"The girls did a fantastic job in that last quarter," he said.

"We created some really good opportunities, just couldn't get that last little one to get the extra goal.

"But we still kept going and we ground it out.

"And that is the mark of a good team, when it's not always going well, that you grind away and the result takes care of itself in the end."

After trailing 2-4, Australia scored six of the next seven goals, including a long-range bomb from Arancini, who finished with two goals.

Alice Williams also scored two goals, taking her prolific tournament tally to nine.

Bronte Halligan and player of the match Tilly Kearns also netted twice and Charlize Andrews also scored.

The result ensures the Stingers, who play their semi-final on Wednesday night, improve on their sixth place at last year's world championships in Budapest.

If they reach the gold medal match, they automatically qualify for next year's Paris Olympics.