Mixed results for improving Namibian inline hockey

NAMIBIA recorded their first win at the FIRS Under-19 Inline Hockey World Championships by winning their first match on day three against Mexico but were comprehensively beaten by Canada in their next match.

The determined Namibians beat the Mexicans 5 – 3 thanks to goals from Michael Falk, Dominic Denker, Joost Schneide and John-James Tromp. That victory brought much-needed confidence to the Namibians going into their next match against international hockey powerhouse Canada. However the team suffered another defeat, their third of the championships, losing 10 – 5. It took little over five minutes of the game for Canada to take a 1 – 0 lead and the game’s momentum and soon after raced into a 5 – 0 lead. Dominic Denker pulled a goal back just before the break and Otwin Förster added a second early in the second period for Namibia. Namibia’s confidence seemed short-lived as one minute into the second period, Canada scored, increasing its lead to what seemed to be an insurmountable 6 -2. However, Namibia was not deterred and answered with a goal of its own 15 seconds later (Otwin Förster assisting Tyrone Miles) to bring the score to 6 -3. Namibia’s comeback effort continued moments later via a superb combination of passes from Michael Falk to John-James Tromp to Janko Meyer, who smashed in his first goal of the tournament, reducing Canada’s lead to 6 – 4.The surprised Canada team rallied with a goal of their own to bring their cushion back to 7 – 4.Namibia quickly regrouped and had another goal as Canada went into a stalling mode, consuming the clock and hiding behind their own net. This forced the Namibians to give chase, which resulted with several successful breakaway opportunities for Canada as they prevailed by scoring three more goals, with the final scoreboard reflecting a 10 – 5 victory for Canada.