Namibia’s women opened their Indoor Hockey World Cup campaign with a stunning 3-2 victory against Australia in Porec on Monday.
Australia took the lead within the opening minute from a short corner by Kelsey Hughes but Tara Myburgh equalised for Namibia with a field goal midway through the second quarter.
Australia regained the lead through Annelyse Tevant just after half time but Namibia dug deep and Myburgh equalised with her second field goal at the start of the final quarter.
Australia threw everything into the attack but Namibia defended courageously and Jivanka Kruger scored the winner with two minutes to go to give Namibia a dramatic and historic victory as they beat Australia for the first time at the World Cup.
Earlier Namibia’s men lost their opening match 7-4 against Belgium.
It was still anyone’s game at half time with the sides level at 4-4, but Belgium finished stronger with three goals in the final quarter to win the match.
Philippe Simar scored a hattrick for Belgium with the other goals coming from Mallory Magnant, Gaetan Dykmans, Maximilian Langer and Tanguy Zimmer, while Namibia’s goal scorers were JP Britz (2), Dakota Hansen and Liam Hermanus.
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