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In their first match of the seventh Asia Oceania Korfball Championships in Hong Kong, New Zealand just failed to turn around an epic game against India – losing 18-16. Starting nervously and making a series of naïve defensive mistakes, New Zealand were staring down the barrel at 5-1, then 9-3, before going to half time at 10-5. Some good free passes by Steve Asher and Nick Muir finding his long shot range was the good news of the first half, but the highlights were overshadowed by some quick Indian attacks, led by their women, who scored a series of running in shots. Some wise words at half time from Belgian coach Daniel De Rudder, and Julia Hall making an appearance from the bench for fellow Wellingtonian Rae Tse made for a different tale in the second half, with the kiwis inching back throughout to peg it to just one, at 16-15 with three minutes left on the clock. More free pass accuracy from Steve Asher, plus a couple of good long shots from Nick Muir and another couple from Estelle Uren putting pressure on the Indians. While the kiwis fell just short of pulling off a great escape act in this match, they proved to themselves, and to the other teams, that – if they can put it together for 60 minutes – they still have every chance of qualifying from this tournament.