Ranking

Results & Schedule

With probably the most arduous journey of all the teams at this WKC, and an expensive one for self-funded players, Brazil has a stretched squad due to injuries. Despite losing their first two games, Thailand by contrast is on an upward trajectory, and determined to make the most of the lessons on offer from high level tournament korfball. The South East Asian team started strongest, while the South Americans, despite making plenty of shots, struggled to find the korf. For Thailand Pasan Suphapathom was effective, including landing a nine metre bomb late in the match, while for Brazil, Leonardo Bernadino rallied his teammates with his talismanic approach. Final score: 14-6 in favour of Thailand.

While many of the players in each of these teams boasts a background in basketball, Türkiye brings height and experience while Malaysia offers energy and speed. Missing three first half penalties didn’t help Malaysia’s cause, and while they made plenty of chances, particularly as the match wore on, their inexperience resulted in too few of those counting on the scoreboard. Sharpshooter Inanc Cemil Demirel was again the top scorer for Türkiye with five, as physicality and korfball nous conquered enthusiasm and high pace, at least on this occasion, the final score: 15-7 to Türkiye.

After disappointment in the first three days for each of these teams, both drew on their resolve to step up and make a contest of this match. Showing more positive progress, Ireland’s determination was greater, their rebounding more aggressive, movement more fluid, and shooting more accurate, led by Liz Tighe, who scored 11. South Africa however may have turned a corner here and could have some more positive results in the games ahead, despite a loss here by 24-15.

Two Asian rivals who had thus far not recorded a win between them, Japan managed to find more fluid form against their younger, less experienced opponent, with the scoring well shared across the whole squad, starters and reserves. Remarkably, four goals in the last 24 seconds gave this match a final flourish, and a score of 16-7 in favour of Japan.

Two teams looking for their first ever WKC win, only one was able to achieve that objective today. Both teams were tentative to start before Brazil, with greater experience, gained the upper hand.
Leading his team from the front, Leonardo Bernadino was central to Brazil’s effort, top scoring with seven, while Caroline Passos also stood out. Great jubilation at the finish as Brazil confirmed their first ever victory at their second world championship, the gracious Philippines joining in to celebrate with their rivals, though having to wait for their own day in the sun. Final score, 15-8.

Both teams hunting their first victory of the tournament, and Malaysia their first ever at a WKC, South Africa started best, and were in the lead at half time. Malaysia’s cause was not assisted by missing three penalties. With a three goal lead after 14 minutes, South Africa might have been on course. However, Malaysia clicked into gear and went on a ten goal scoring spree, to which South Africa had no reply. Dominant for Malaysia were En Qi Tea and Qi Xun Chia, while for South Africa Anieka Fick top scored. Final score 21-9, and first ever WKC victory for Malaysia.

In a close match, Thailand took a narrow lead and stayed in front until late in the final quarter, when Ireland’s resolve finally broke their hearts. Defensive intensity was on show from both teams, particularly from the female players, Daisy Tighe and Thanyaporn Ounkat especially resolute. Despite missing three penalties in the third quarter, Ireland managed to take the lead for the first time with three minutes remaining, holding and extending it for a final score of 14-11.

Türkiye enjoyed their first ever WKC victory yesterday, while Japan achieved their first for the tournament. Endeavouring to emulate their Asian counterparts Hong Kong China’s defeat of Türkiye, Japan’s male players struggled to work their taller less mobile opponents, instead being dragged into a rebound battle that they were never going to win. Türkiye kept the scoreboard moving forward, with Onay Ozkurt top scoring with six. Although Japan’s scoring momentum kept them within touching distance of their opponent, they wilted towards the end, Türkiye scoring the final five goals to prevail by 21-13.