AOKYC 2007 - Day 6, Finals, Sunday

The three teams, China, Hong Kong and hosts, New Zealand all won a game each during the week, meaning the two teams to play in the 3rd and 4th play off had to come down to point differentials. Over all the round-robin games, the point differentials were as follows: New Zealand -33, China -40, and Hong Kong -45, meaning it would have been a New Zealand v China play off.

However, according to tournament rules, it was only the games between the three equal teams that would be counted, meaning China +1, Hong Kong was 0 and New Zealand -1, resulting in a China v Hong Kong play off.

Game 11: China vs Hong Kong, Minor Final

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The last time these two teams came together it proved to be an extremely close match, Hong Kong winning by only a one point margin. This time the stakes were higher, as the winner of the match would take 3rd place of the tournament and therefore qualify for the World Championships.

China’s Jia Li scored on the very first attack of the match and Hong Kong’s Hiu Tung Sum hit straight back after 45 seconds, setting the stage for an intense competition. Both teams had great pressure on defence and there was no score for another ten minutes as nerves provoked basic mistakes from both teams. China caught a break to score at mid range, however Hong Kong were on the ball, scoring a run in almost immediately to bring it back level. Neither team were prepared to let their opposition get an edge, all players lifting their game for the occasion. China scored from close range, bringing the score to 3-2 in their favour, the women of the match were taking charge with four out of five goals scored by female players. Hong Kong converted two points in a row, Wai On Ku from a free pass and Hiu Tung Sum with a long shot from way in the back court, to take Hong Kong to the lead for the first time. However China’s sharp shooter Jia Li hit straight back, showing no mercy. With 12 minutes of the first half remaining and scores locked at 12 a piece, a time-out was called. Hong Kong came back strong, scoring twice in a row and switching well on defence. Hong Kong raised the bar on defence and China became muddled and unorganised on attack, at times seeming to get in each others way. Defensively, China gave Hong Kong three free pass options in close succession, but lucky for them, Hong Kong was unable to convert these. Coming close to half time, China began to bunch under the post and struggled to find any rhythm on their attack, however fought back with good defensive pressure impeding Hong Kong from extending their lead before the break. Half time score was 8-6 in favour of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong came out with strong defensive pressure, leaving China unsure of what to run on attack. However, China were determined not to give up, lifted their game before too long to run some organised attacks, showing good rebounding techniques and regaining possession after shots allowing Yan Zheng and Ding Ma to sink consecutive running in shots. Hong Kong were quick to answer back, with two points of their own, one being a penalty shot bringing the score to 11-8. Following the stretch of outstanding plays from both teams, was a stint of frantic korfball where both teams had a series of passing and ball handling mistakes and unorganised attacks. Both teams unable to find momentum and shooting opportunities were scarce and a much needed time out was called. Defensively, the intensity from both teams seemed to lift yet another notch and it was five full minutes before Tung Kong Lau of China scored from a free pass. This was soon followed by a penalty shot opportunity which China regretfully failed to convert. Hong Kong continued to infringe on defence, allowing China another free pass, which they could not sink, but when they were given yet another penalty shot, they finally were able to add another point to the score board. Hong Kong began to push for a running in shot, but China defence would not allow them to run past, forcing them to shoot long. However, on attack, China made mistakes due to miscommunication. With only six minutes remaining, Hong Kong were stripped of possession when the referee penalised them for time-wasting, China punishing them further scoring immediately. China desperate to shrink the margin fought even harder stealing two intercepts in quick succession which were soon rewarded when Qian Cui sunk a long shot bringing the score to a minimal two point margin. Another time out was called with five minutes remaining and the score was 13-11 to Hong Kong. On return Hong Kong had settled and began to play very safe korfball, making lots of passes moving well around the court and rarely shooting, wanting to make sure they maintain possession as much as possible, hindering China any more opportunities to score, but making sure they did not get penalised for time wasting. China came out a very different game, due to being behind by two points; they were desperate to score and were shooting at every opportunity available, often not taking the time to reset. It wasn’t until the final minute when China’s anxious shooting spree was converted to a point, however Hong Kong crushed China’s hopes of a win, continuing to play it safe and Hiu Tung Sum scored the final long shot of the match in the closing seconds allowing Hong Kong a 14-12 win, 3rd place position and the opportunity to compete at the World Youths.

Game 12: Chinese Taipei vs Australia, Final

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The battle between these two high-quality Korfball sides competing for the winning place trophy was expected to be a display of exceptional Korfball. It was also anticipated that the score line would be much closer in comparison to the encounter between these same two teams earlier this week, now that the stakes were much higher.

Chinese Taipei came out strong, as per usual, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with, however, Australia, perhaps faltering under the pressure, made numerous mistakes and struggled to find composure on attack. Australia breathed a sigh of relief when Chinese Taipei shocked everyone when they missed the first penalty of the match. But this was soon redeemed when Ying-Chun Chen sunk an expert long shot. Unfortunately for Australia they continued to make passing errors during their offence, whilst Taipei ran proficient controlled attacks. When the score line saw Chinese Taipei in the lead 3-0, Australia finally displayed why they deserved to be in this final, running a first-class attack resulting in a gorgeous long shot by Nicholas Bartel. Taipei ran long attacks, maintaining possession and showing outstanding rebounding ability, allowing them to score two more consecutive shots, however Australia kept their heads up, also performing long attacks, using the ‘block’ to get good positions and allowing them to get off good shots. When Australia began to regress, become unorganised on attack, Captain Matthew Kleeman proved why he is one of the best, took charge and enabled his team to score again. Due to outstanding defensive pressure from Australia, Chinese Taipei was reduced to rushing shots and playing some unfavourable hap-hazard Korfball. Unfortunately for Australia, Taipei is a talented side and despite their best efforts, Taipei continued to find ways to score whimsical goals. Coming up to the end of the first half, Australia found a surge of additional energy, applied fantastic defence, obtaining several intercepts successively, rebounded outstandingly on both attack and defence and remunerating their hard work with three consecutive points. Two of which came from Captain Matthew Kleeman in the final minute, taking the score to 12-6 in favour of Chinese Taipei, a vast improvement from their half time score 11-2 earlier in the week.

Chinese Taipei was first to score, three minutes into the half, Shiou-Yun Lin scoring a nice long shot after an idiosyncratic controlled attack. Australia, down but not out, following on from their success at the end of the first half, playing similarly fervent, replied with three well deserved consecutive points narrowing the margin to a difference of just four. Unfortunately, for Australia, regardless of their good defensive pressure, yet again, Chinese Taipei find ways to amaze, Ching-Yi Fan scoring two gifted long shots, from admirable attacks. Australia found themselves making some ill-fated mistakes and missing essential shots, allowing Chinese Taipei to extend their lead once again out to 18-10. Nearing the end of the final match of the tournament, Australia was still displaying good athletic ability on defence, obtaining numerous intercepts. However, Chinese Taipei was also playing tough defence, forcing Australia to shoot long and although they were able to score one more point, this was not enough. Chinese Taipei played out the end of the game using lovely movements around court and having good ball retention, scoring two more points ending the game with another comfortable win of 20-11. Australia did well to hold the score line to 8-5 in the second half, but it was clear that Chinese Taipei was the best team of the tournament and deserved their number one title.