POR-THA | IKF #U21WKC 2026

8/8/2026 – (…)

Portugal produced a dramatic comeback to open their IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026 campaign with a narrow 14–13 victory over Thailand in Nilai.

Thailand made the stronger start, building a 4–1 advantage after nine minutes and carrying a 6–3 lead into half-time. Portugal, however, responded impressively after the break. Four unanswered goals turned the game around, with Portugal moving from 3–6 down to 8–6 before Thailand fought back to level at 9–9 after 30 minutes.

The final period delivered the match’s biggest swings. Thailand regained control and led 13–11 with six minutes remaining, but Portugal refused to surrender. Miguel Neves Peres struck twice in quick succession to level the scores at 13–13, setting up a tense finish. With just over a minute remaining, Maria Bitton Henriques found the decisive running-in shot to complete Portugal’s comeback.

Leonor Gonçalves was Portugal’s leading scorer with four goals, while Neves Peres added three after coming on at half-time. For Thailand, Supanut Bosri and Patcharapha Somname each scored three, with Thailand’s disciplined attacking play keeping them in front for long periods.

The result gives Portugal an early boost in Pool C, while Thailand can take plenty of encouragement from a performance that pushed their opponents to the final seconds.