On Day Three at the IKF AOKC the game between Chinese Taipei and Japan featured an intriguing personal duel.
Tournament favourite Chinese Taipei put in a dominating performance to win 45-11, however, the story of the day was the teacher versus student battle between Chinese Taipei superstar Ricky Wu and Japan rookie Ren Nagai.
Fifteen-year old Ren, who received special dispensation to play in this tournament, lived in Japan until two years ago when his family moved to Taipei. Once there he discovered korfball at school, where his coach and teacher is Ricky Wu. Ricky advised the Japanese Korfball Association (JKA) that there was a talented young Japanese player in his country and the JKA extended an invitation to Ren to play at the tournament.
When the two teams met today, Ricky and Ren found themselves facing each other, one on one, as individual opponents on the court. In the end, the personal battle ended with Ricky confirming that he is indeed the master, outscoring his student by five goals to four.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_3327w.jpg633640Rob Smithhttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngRob Smith2014-08-19 17:11:072014-08-19 17:11:07Student versus master at IKF AOKC
Four games in Day Three of the 2014 IKF AOKC resulted in four comfortable victories.
By the IKF rankings, Game One of Day Three was one of the widest mismatches possible as world third ranked Chinese-Taipei took on Japan, which sits around 30 places lower in the IKF rankings. By halftime the scoreboard showed 23-6 as Chinese Taipei put on another display of technique, athleticism, ball speed and court awareness. Although yesterday a flurry of substitutions around halftime reduced the flow from the defending champion, today there was no such let up for Japan when the Chinese Taipei bench players entered the game, en masse, early in the second half. By the end Japan had received a thorough lesson, at the wrong end of a 45-11 scoreline.
In Game Two China inflicted a similar scoring onslaught on Macau, their power and control too much for their less experienced opponents. As in the previous match, goals rained in at more than one per minute, the only appreciable difference from Chinese Taipei’s superiority being that when China’s bench players took the court in the second half the tempo dropped slightly. Macau was unfortunate to take the backlash of China’s disappointment at losing yesterday’s encounter with Australia. At the end of the match the score was 42-5.
Australian coach Phil Sibbons sent his team out in Game Three with his veterans on the bench, rested after yesterday’s exertions. His younger squad members had a different mission against unbeaten Malaysia, though achieved it just as effectively, controlling the tempo and minimising their opponents’ scoring options. Each member of Australia’s starting eight scored at least once, while Adam Robertson and Josh Burney scored six and seven respectively. Faced with a far tougher opponent than on the previous two days, Malaysia was unable to respond, and the final score was 25-3.
Thus far unbeaten, New Zealand featured in the day’s final game against the host. Initially it seemed an even contest, with boyhood friends Ken Kwok Ham and Carl Chung sharing the first two goals. Although this was the day’s closest match, Hong Kong gradually asserted more pressure, particularly through their female players, and made the most of their scoring opportunities. By half time the score was 9-4, and although it seemed that New Zealand might be able to mount a recovery, as the second half progressed Hong Kong’s superiority became more and more evident. Giving most of the bench players a run in the last ten minutes or so, New Zealand was unable to pose a consistent goal threat and ended up on the wrong end of a 21-7 scoreline.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_3371w.jpg640575Rob Smithhttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngRob Smith2014-08-19 17:04:412014-08-19 17:04:41IKF AOKC Day Three – contrasting games all end in comfortable victories
Host of the IKF AOKC the Hong Kong China Korfball Association provides live video coverage of the tournament in Hongkong. Thru worldkorfball.org all matches can be seen live.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AOKC-2-3129w1.jpg640600Rob Smithhttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngRob Smith2014-08-19 08:45:292014-08-19 08:45:29IKF AOKC live video coverage
On Day Two of the 2014 IKF AOKC, with a further six games completed, the two groups are beginning to sort themselves out.
Malaysia achieved a second comfortable win of the tournament in the day’s first game, taking advantage of Indonesia’s inexperience to ease to a 12-5 win. By beating first Macau and now Indonesia, Malaysia has given itself an excellent opportunity to justify its third seeding in group B, suggesting that, unless a freak result occurs in the next two days, it will still be in contention for a medal after all group games are completed. Indonesia, on the other hand, which has the lowest ranking of all teams here, will need to learn from the lessons of its first two games and look to make improvements for the future.
Game two saw another close fought, low scoring Group A contest, as Japan, which held a two goal lead for a period of the first half, succumbed to Korea’s dominance in the rebound to fall to a second loss, 9-7.
Game three, between the teams ranked two and three, produced the best korfball of the tournament so far, Australia prevailing over Group B rival China after a full-blooded tussle. China reined in the aggression they displayed yesterday, at least slightly, and held the lead for much of the first half, benefiting from some inattentive defence by Australia, which conceded seven penalties in the half, all scored. The Skippies found some rhythm in the final minutes of the half, though, which continued in the first few minutes of the second half, as they scored seven goals unanswered to take control. Craig Miller was particularly effective. A spectacular Ashlee Othen goal, converting a running in shot from an intercept, was decisive leaving China an insurmountable five goal deficit with ten minutes to play. Final score: 20-14.
When the top two seeds in Group A met in the following game, the outcome contrasted significantly to the Australia-China match. Making it first appearance at this tournament, defending IKF Asia Oceania korfball champion Chinese-Taipei accounted for host Hong Kong with effortless ease, displaying their dynamism, speed and shooting prowess. Superstar Ricky Wu scored six in the first half as his team demonstrated its superiority for an 18-5 half time lead. His show ceased soon after when he was one of a rash of substitutions made by the respective coaches. Scoring was more sedate after that, and although Hong Kong achieved parity with five second goals apeice, the result was a foregone conclusion: 23-10 to Chinese Taipei.
Superior shooting by Macau produced a win over Indonesia, playing its second match of the day, which nevertheless was its strongest performance of the tournament so far. Ka U Chao scoring seven for Macau.
In the final game, for the second day in succession, New Zealand again struggled to overcome a lower ranked opponent, though ultimately produced a more convincing performance to beat Korea, thanks in large part to Rosa Cooper. Introduced to the game just before half time, her shooting accuracy countered the Korean’s strong rebounding and her five second half goals proved the difference as New Zealand prevailed by 11-5. Like Malaysia, New Zealand has assured it will remain in medal contention beyond the group games.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/13-DSC_1589.jpg7771200Rob Smithhttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngRob Smith2014-08-18 16:04:082014-08-18 16:04:08IKF AOKC Day Two – six games start to sort out groups
Day One of the IKF AOKC ended in four wins for the higher ranked teams, though some of the nations in the earlier stages of their development showed they could spring a surprise before the end of the week.
In the first game of the tournament, Korea provided spirited opposition to the host team, at least initially. Going to half time 9-4 behind, Korea stayed within touching distance for most of the match, although inaccurate shooting let them down. In the last few minutes, after a number of substitutions, Hong Kong expanded its winning margin to a more comfortable 17-6.
Game Two, in Pool B, was dominated by China, which brought a robust style of korfball to the tournament that was too much for the gallant but inexperienced Indonesia team. China won with ease: 25-4, captain Liang Shuaishuai leading the way with six. A number of breaks in the game, for injuries and at one stage a bent korf, meant that, with real playing time the game over-ran the schedule by about 20 minutes.
Malaysia and Macau met in the third game, also in Pool B, with both continuing the level of physicality that China had exhibited in the previous game, playing with strong determination to win. Although Malaysia edged in front, Macau stayed in touch, benefiting from the recent joint training sessions that they had prior to the tournament with Australia. In the end, in the final quarter of the game, Malaysia pulled away to a 15-8 win, Wan Li Ker scoring five and Randy Ho Kang Lip scoring four.
In the final game, Japan gave New Zealand a much tougher battle than the IKF rankings would indicate, staying level until the final minute of the first half, when the Kiwis finally pulled ahead by two, and matching them again goal for goal in a low scoring second half for a final score of 11-9. Sho Furuki stood out for Japan, scoring five.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/02-DSC_0069.jpg8091200Rob Smithhttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngRob Smith2014-08-17 15:11:542014-08-17 15:11:54IKF AOKC Day One – games go according to rankings
Asia-Oceania champion Chinese Taipei has arrived in Hong Kong with an experienced and well-prepared squad determined to defend its title at the IKF AOKC.
In camp at home for the past 11 days, the squad includes Ricky Wu, aptly nick-named the ‘Asian Sensation’ during his years in the Korfball League in the Netherlands. Along with nine of his colleagues in the present IKF AOKC 2014 squad, Ricky won a bronze medal at the 2013 World Games, or at the 2011 IKF World Championship, or both. Members of this ‘golden generation’ of Chinese Taipei korfball have been playing the sport for an average of around eight years.
Residents of Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan county and Nantou county, the final squad of 16 was named in July following a process that began in October last year when an initial selection of 22 players was named after two national tournaments in October.
Most of the Chinese Taipei national team players were originally recruited to school korfball teams when they were studying in primary or junior high schools. Most are now university students, although some are primary or high school teachers.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/chinese-taipei-2014.jpg489649Rob Smithhttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngRob Smith2014-08-16 10:11:252014-08-16 10:11:25Champion Chinese Taipei will be tough to beat at IKF AOKC
Participating at this year’s IKF Asia Oceania Korfball Championship (IKF AOKC) gives the Korea Korfball Federation (KKF) great impetus for further development of the sport.
Korea finished sixth at last October’s Asia Korfball Championships in Tianjin, China, and currently sits at 31 in the IKF rankings.
Taking the three-hour flight from Seoul to Hong Kong for the ninth IKF Asia Oceania Korfball Championship, this will be Korea’s second time at the tournament after finishing seventh four years ago.
Since starting their preparation in March, squad members have trained once or twice a week.
Members of Korea’s squad come from diverse backgrounds, including in their number teachers, students and soldiers. One of the latter had to ask for special permission to exempt himself from a joint training exercise between the armies of the United States and Korea in order to travel with the squad to Hong Kong.
Most of Korea’s players started korfball as students of Seoul National University of Korea, when the sport was introduced by their sister university, National Taiwan University of Education, in 2005, with the most experienced of Korea’s international players starting korfball in earnest in 2006.
This squad is an important step in the development of Korean korfball, with a number of the players either trainee teachers or recent graduates who have started their teaching careers. As in various other countries, this makes them ideally placed to spread korfball and build its popularity through schools and universities, which they are in the process of doing, bringing increasing numbers of younger people into the sport through school korfball clubs and tournaments.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Korea.png767628Rob Smithhttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngRob Smith2014-08-13 10:36:342014-08-13 10:36:34Korea looks for progress at IKF AOKC
New Zealand’s team for the 2014 IKF Asia Oceania Korfball Championship (IKF AOKC) is ready for competition and will attempt to be the first from their country to qualify for a korfball World Championship.
Unofficially calling themselves The Korus, which refers to the shape of the native fern frond that is on the Korfball New Zealand logo, the team has the furthest journey of all teams to reach Hong Kong, even further than their neighbour Australia.
Most of the players in The Korus have at least four years korfball experience, which is more than previous times that New Zealand has played at international level. Ten of the members of the squad have attended international korfball tournaments before.
New Zealand’s chances have been boosted by the return of senior players Bevan Lawson and Rosa Cooper, who both spent extended periods in the Netherlands over the past 12 months, where they trained and developed their game with leading club DOS ’46. Their ranks are also boosted by ‘secret agent’ Carl Chung, who was born in Auckland but moved to Hong Kong when he was young, starting his korfball career there aged 15, before moving back to New Zealand at age 18.
New Zealand is coached by Mark Garrett, who was assistant coach of the Australian team that reached that country’s highest korfball peak with fourth place in the 1995 World Championships. Mark is still based in South Australia and has commuted monthly to run weekend-long training camps in New Zealand since September 2013.
Eight of The Korus live in Christchurch, which is still recovering from a series of major earthquakes that devastated the city four years ago. Although many sports facilities were damaged or destroyed, korfball activity has continued in Christchurch, and with new sports facilities promised as the city is rebuilt, is set to enjoy further growth.
Korfball Australia has officially announced the composition of their national team for the Asia-Oceania Korfball Championship, due to be held from 17-23 August in Hong Kong. Australia, ranked second in the region, will definitely try winning the title, though regional number 1 Chinese Taipei is the clear favorite.
At the team photo, we can see (Back left to right) Phil Sibbons (coach), Adam Robertson, Dan Phillips, Craig Miller, Andrew Hutchesson, Josh Berney, Sam Wetherall, Patrick Branford, Jeremy Harris (Assistant Coach); (front row) Kia Rogers, Ashlee Othen, Jess Crispe, Jess Phillips, Theresa Coletti, Emily Hutchesson, Megan Marks, Jess May.
According to korfball Australia, the national team has trained in separate sessions in addition to the club training sessions. There have been training camps every 3-4 weeks on the weekend. Personal fitness, gym sessions and shooting practice of varied intensity appropriate to individual needs have been going for about 5 months.
Korfball Australia’s team have raised approximately AU$6500 through cake stalls, BBQ and a dinner. There is still the personal sacrifice of approximately AU$2600 per player for flights,accommodation and meals in Hong Kong and uniform.
Source: Korfball Australia newsletter 3 August 2014
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/aus-team-aokc-2014.jpg5821208Jan Fransoohttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngJan Fransoo2014-08-05 05:44:032014-08-05 05:44:03Australia announces national squad for AOKC
The IKF Asia Oceania Korfball Championship match schedule is changed. This refers to match times only. The major changes are on finals day; earlier on 23 August.
Under ‘Events’ you find the actual match schedule.
The IKF AOKC in HongKong will have 10 national teams competing seven days to become the next IKF Asia Oceania champion.
The first match day is 17 August. The first match day starts with the opening ceremony; 1430 PM HongKong Time. The first match HongKong – Korea starts 1530 PM.
Chinese Taipei is the reigning champion and the team to beat.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/D3-AKC-1286.jpg207283Frans Walvishttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngFrans Walvis2014-07-24 21:59:362014-07-24 21:59:36IKF AOKC match schedule
