Russia v Czech Republic
Russia got off to a winning start
in their opening clash with the Czech Republic with the opening
game going to Golden goal.
The Russians got off to a flying start with goals
Sergey USACHEV and Olga DUDINA
after 8 minutes but the Czech's pulled back with goals from
Matej KUBICEK and Jakub
BLÁHA to bring the score to 2 - 2 with 13 minutes gone.
Russia went ahead a minute later but three goals from the Czech
Republic, two from KUBICEK, took the Czech's into 5 - 3 lead as
the half time approached.
The Czech momentum was quickly lost and three quick goals from
distance, including another from Sergey USACHEV, took Russia
into the half time break leading 6 - 5.
The Czech side were struck back in the opening seconds with a
goal from Jakub BLÁHA but seconds later the Russian lead was
restored with another close range goal from Olga DUDINA.
Rudolf BUCHTA brought the score to 7 - 7 a minute later and it
was clear that the opening game of this Championships was
shaping up to be an epic battle between the two Eastern European
Korfball giants.
After 5 minutes into the 2nd half the Russians brought on
Alexander VYUNNIK for Dmitry KAZACHKOV but minutes later the
Czech's pulled ahead to 8 - 7 with a free pass from BLÁHA.
Another Russian substitution saw Galina RODINA come on for
Elena DOROGAVTSEVA and seconds later Russia pulled even with a
long range goal from Alexander VYUNNIK.
As the Czech Republic took the lead once again with a close
range goal from Roman VEŽNÍKthe Russian coach called the first
time out of the game and whatever he said seemed to work as
USACHEV knotched up his hat trick and VYUNNIK scored his 2nd
goal of the game to take the score to 10 - 9.
With 6 minutes remaining the Czechs brought on Eva KEJDUSOVA for
Marie COUFALOVÁ and with 3 minutes to go pulled the game even
with a a long range goal from Matej KUBICEK, his fourth of the
game.
The Czech Republic looked to have snatched the game as they were
awarded a penalty with just 4 seconds left, but the pressure
proved too much and the game went to Golden goal and saw Russia
snatch the victory with a long range goal from Sergey USACHEV,
his 4th of the game.
The win places the much favoured Russians in a strong position
and the Czech side will need to Russia's to now slip up in the
pool games if they are to have any hope of winning a medal.
Hong Kong v Australia
In the 2nd game of the tournament Australia
face newcomers to the international scene Hong Kong in what on
form should have proved a comfortable win the the experienced
Australian side. The reality was to be somewhat different
as the much improved Hong Kong side's long range shooting kept
proved a problem for the Australians and the game went into the
half time break even at 6 - 6. There was little to
separate the two sides in the opening minutes of the 2nd half
but eventually Hong Kong's defensive inexperience allowed the
Australians to pull away to an 18 - 12 victory. Matthew
Kleeman was Australia's highest scoring player whilst Kwok Kuen
Ham also scored 6 for Hong Kong.
This early performance suggests that Australia may well struggle
against the much fancied Chinese Taipei side on the clash
between the two tomorrow.
China v South Africa
After a poor start by both sides China gained the momentum
with their mid range shooting to go into a 5 - 2 lead against
South Africa and eventually went into the half time break
leading 7 - 3. but the game appears to have been a poor
one from the spectators point of view China continued to
lead 8 - 6 into the 2nd half but South Africa pulled back and
with 13 minutes to go drew even at 10 - 10. A running in
shot from Gao Feifei took China into a 11
- 10 lead but South Africa quickly drew even with a free pass
from Jaun-Piere Cassel With just
over 1o minutes to go Wang Haoran missed from the penalty spot
and with just 4 minuteson the clock Jean-Pierre Jacobs took
South Africa into 12 - 11 lead with a goal from close range and
the South Africans were able to hang on to until the final
whistle, helped by the use of their second time out.
Despite their relative inexperience at this level the Chinese
team will be disappointed at allowing this game to slip from
their grasp and the fact that the have already reached a stage
where they can match a nation such a South Africa suggests they
will most certainly be a major force on the World stage in the
coming years.
Liandri Theyse and Elsandri Van Niekerk
both scored hat tricks for the South African side while Jing
Feng scored 3 for China.
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