IKF U21 WKC 2018 Day 5: Videos, reviews, results & updated ranking pools

The final pool matches are played on Day 5 with a number of issues to be decided. The first match was Turkey and Portugal. Portugal had already secured second spot in Pool B, but Turkey would have a chance for the 4th place in the pool with a win. The game started well enough with the teams sharing 8 goals quickly. As Portugal started to take control, going 4-7 up in the first quarter, Turkey became erratic and their physical play led to too many fouls and opportunities for Portugal. The match was disrupted and the referee called on often to stop the play. This caused low scoring 2nd and 3rd quarters with six goals in each as Portugal maintained control and their lead. 9-14 at the end of the third quarter.

The pace of scoring and disruptions to play increased in the final as Turkey tried to reduce the gap. The referee was called upon to deal with a number clashes as the play became more tense. Turkey won the quarter, but not by enough to take the win as Portugal won 16-19.

The second match of day 5 pitched Netherlands against Hong Kong China. Another goal-fest expected and delivered. The Dutch scored quickly, racing to 11 goals in seven minutes before Hong Kong China opened their account. Both sets of players performed well in the first half, creating oportunities and scoring goals. The half-time score 4-27 to Netherlands.

Hong Kong China continued to enjoy their korfball and took the game to their opponents in the third quarter. They scored throughout the period, playing some lovely korfball and restricting the Dutch to 10 goals. In the final quarter, Hong Kong China continued to play well, drawing mistakes from the Dutch and winning fouls under the referee’s watchful gaze. Hong Kong China worked well with possession and the Dutch failed to score 50 for the first time in three games. A very good performance from both teams. Netherlands winning 10-48.

China and Germany faced each other in the third match of the day. The winners would compete for 5th-8th places, the best the losers could achieve would be 9th. With a lot riding on the result, it was a nervous start from both teams as they struggled to take control. Scrappy goals turned to better quality as the teams were matched 5-5 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, China showed more determination and caused a lot to happen in the post area. Goals resulted and China moved ahead 17-10 by half-time.

In the second half, both teams raised the tempo and a more physical game ensued with the referee becoming much more involved. Germany edged the third quarter to enter the final quarter five down 22-17.

Early in the fourth quarter, China increased the lead to six goals and it looked all over for Germany. They did not give up though and the China lead was reduced to two with four minutes remaining. If China were nervous they did not show it. Despite conceding possession several times, China were able to see the game out, winning 26-23. They move onto a match against Czech Republic for places 5th to 8th. Germany face England for 9th to 11th.

The host country, Hungary, playing in their usual early evening slot, faced the unbeaten Chinese Taipei team with referee Peter Busik in charge of proceedings. Neither team had anything to play for. Hungary have a 5th-8th semi-final with Hong Kong China and Chinese Taipei a semi-final against Belgium. The match started slowly, both teams taking a while to find any shooting range. Chinese Taipei created the better chances and scored well to lead 1-8 after the first quarter. The second quarter was punctuated by substitutions as the coaches tried to find some momentum. Chinese Taipei again getting the better of the quarter to lead 3-14 at half-time.

The third quarter suffered from more substitutions as eight were made, disrupting any flow the match had. Only five goals were scored as Chinese Taipei increased the lead to 3-19. Hungary had their best quarter in the fourth, drawing 3-3 to make the final score 6-22 and 7-8 in substitutions. Both teams will want to play more consistent and higher shooting korfball in their semis on match day 6.

The final match of the day saw England take on Belgium, again with both countries already sure of their semi-final matches. Belgium starting strongly enough, pulling out to a 1-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. Belgium scored throughout the second quarter as England struggled to find a way into the match. The half-time score 3-19.

The second half started with a number of substitutions, and the play continued as in the first half with Belgium scoring freely. England had a bright period scoring 4 goals in three second half minutes to finish the quarter 7-29 down. England called a time-out, perhaps to push for 10 goals and limit Belgium to under 40. They could score only one more as the match finished 9-36. England face Germany in the lower places and Belgium take on Chinese Taipei for a place in the final.