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Australia have overcome Japan to take the men's World League Inter Continental Cup in Perth, while the women's side narrowly went down to the USA.

Australia's men's water polo team have won the World League Inter Continental Cup in a thriller against Japan in Perth, while the women went down to longtime rivals and world No.1 USA in a penalty shootout.

The Australian men, the Sharks, traded goals with Japan early on in Sunday night's final before Australia nudged ahead to lead 7-6 at halftime.

In the third quarter, goals from Lachlan Edwards - his fourth of the night - Joe Kayes and Blake Edwards added to the tally, helping the world No.1 Sharks to finish with a 10-8 win.

"We knew that we had to play solid defence," said Australia captain and goalkeeper Joel Dennerley.

""They're really aggressive on the drives ... everyone had a role to play and I was happy to do my job today."

The women's Stingers kept the world No.1 side to 3-3 in the first quarter but the USA muscled ahead in the second to take an 8-4 lead.

Australia fought back through goals from Isobel Bishop and and two each from Keesja Gofers and captain Rowie Webster, who equalised for the Stingers with just 40 seconds on the clock to make it 9-9.

The home team weren't able to continue their momentum though and went down 14-12 to the USA in the shootout.

""To match the best in the world for four quarters is a real step forward for us," Webster said.

"Anyone can win in penalties and they (US) did, so congratulations to the US and we get a second chance, that's the pleasure of playing sport.

"We're happy but we're not necessarily satisfied. This will fuel our fire to come out and train harder."

The Inter Continental Cup acts as a qualifying tournament for the World League Super Final, with both Australian teams advancing to the event in June.