News

New Zealand today posted its biggest international korfball victory, overcoming minnow Macau 23-4 in its second match at the seventh Asia Oceania Korfball Championships in Hong Kong.

Led once again by high scoring Steve Asher, who nailed seven, the team put the disappointment of the previous day’s narrow loss to India behind it, playing its own style of patient, constructive korfball, rather than falling into the oft-repeated pattern in our sport of playing ‘down’ to a weaker opponent’s level.

Coaches Daniel De Rudder and Tim Asby benched most of the starting eight from the previous day, giving Aucklanders Cam Wasley, Melissa Robinson and Andy Hamilton their first taste of official international korfball. Cantabrian Stacey Mason also started, after recovering from fitness problems the previous day, and also made a positive impression on the scoreboard, hitting six.

Without being spectacular, the kiwis took control right from the start and executed their game plan well, against younger, smaller, less experienced players.

With the way the tournament is structured, whatever the result of tomorrow’s trans-Tasman clash, Friday is set to be the big one for New Zealand, with a clash against Hong Kong looking likely – a prize of a top four spot at this tournament and qualification for the World Championships beckoning for the victor. New Zealand has played Hong Kong twice before in internationals – both at under 23 level in Bacchus Marsh, Australia, in 2003. Both games were decided by a single goal – with one win apiece.