Student versus master at IKF AOKC

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On Day Three at the IKF AOKC the game between Chinese Taipei and Japan featured an intriguing personal duel.

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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.

IKF AOKC Day Three – contrasting games all end in comfortable victories

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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.

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IKF AOKC live video coverage

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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.

IKF AOKC Day Two – six games start to sort out groups

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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.

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IKF AOKC Day One – games go according to rankings

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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.

New Zealand v Japan

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.

Bright future for korfball in Hong Kong, says Sport Minister at AOKC opening

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“There is a bright future for korfball in Hong Kong”, Jonathan McKinley, Deputy Secretary of Home Affairs of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR – the equivalent of Sport Minister in other countries – said at the opening ceremony of the 9th IKF Asia-Oceania Korfball Championship. Kinley added that Hong Kong residents like new sports, and the mixed gender spirit of the game very much matches Hong Kong’s society.

Growth of korfball in the island territory has been remarkable, with the majority of universities playing korfball, a domestic korfball league and regular tournaments and championships in all age categories, both indoor, outdoor, and on the beach. With the hosting the AOKC this year, the Association aims to reach the general public to make a next step in korfball”s popularity.

McKinley addressed the participants of the Championship and welcomed them to Hong Kong as part of an opening ceremony in which also the IKF President took part, along with the Presidents of IKF Asia and IKF Oceania, and the IKF Secretary General. The guests were welcomed into the venue by traditional bag pipe music.

In the successive opening match of the tournament, the home team beat Korea by a clear margin.

 

Champion Chinese Taipei will be tough to beat at IKF AOKC

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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.

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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.

Indonesia moves towards single korfball federation

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The IKF Executive Committee has rendered a decision in the dispute between two rival korfball federations in Indonesia, both using the banner Persatuan Korfbal Seluruh Indonesia. The IKF has recognized the PKSI headed by Mr Budiono Kartohadiprodjo, and lead operationally by Mrs Adelaida Koraag.

Unfortunately the two factions were unable to resolve the situation by themselves, and both had requested last year the IKF to intervene and make a decision, where both factions committed to abiding by the IKF decision and seeking reconciliation following this. The IKF has written to both factions on the decision, requesting the now official PKSI to lead the reconciliation process, while the now-defunct PKSI led by Lisa Roedhianita has been requested to disband itself. The National Sports Commission in Indonesia has offered to assist in the reconciliation process.

IKF AOKC 2014 an important step for Malaysian korfball

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This year’s tournament in Hong Kong is the first time Malaysia will participate in the IKF AOKC, following its representation at the equivalent youth tournament in 2011 in Adelaide and the IKF Asian Korfball Championship last year.

Malaysia Korfball Team Group Photo

Like many other international korfballers, Malaysia’s national players have overcome financial challenges to represent their country. Korfball his not officially recognised by the Ministry of Sport and Youth and the Sport Council of Malaysia. Players are therefore left to raise their own funds, through savings, sponsorship and loans from family and friends.

Technically, Malaysia has benefited from the assistance of Chinese Taipei korfball maestro and President of IKF Asia Inglish Huang, who visited for a five-day training camp in June, adding to Malaysia’s eight month programme.

Ranging in age from 16 to 30 years old, Malaysia’s korfballers are based in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. All shifted to korfball from basketball, encouraged by their coaches and senior team mates Wai-Fun Lau Yuet-Ngor Chew and Wai-Sim Lau, who also have basketball backgrounds.

The 2014 IKF AOKC will be a springboard for the country’s development, as Malaysian Korfball Association president Jungle Lim Chee Yong explains:

“These players will be Malaysian korfball’s leaders, team managers, coaches, referees, trainers, promoters, supporters, sponsors and others in the future. They are going to help train young and talented children to become high performance korfballers.

“Our vision is to introduce, develop and promote korfball to Malaysia’s multi race society, including Malay, Indian, Chinese, Iban, Kadazan, Murud, Bajau, Mah Meri, Temuan and others.”

Korea looks for progress at IKF AOKC

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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 team for IKF AOKC 2014

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.