NAMIBIA pulled off a great victory in extra time against Australia to finish 13th at the Inline Hockey World Championships in Budapest on Saturday.
The teams were tied at three-all at the end of the fourth quarter, but three minutes into extra time Timo Giersch scored the winner from a pass by Vincent van Biljon to give Namibia the victory, which ensures that Namibia automatically qualifies for the 2007 World Championships. Namibia took the lead two minutes into the second quarter when Cello Bass scored, assisted by Arne Rodenwoldt.Two minutes later Namibia scored again with Francois Jacobs putting the puck into the net after a fine build-up involving Arne Rodenwoldt and Marco Debortoli.Australia opened their account in the 19th minute but Namibia stretched their lead two minutes later when Baas scored his second goal.But Australia fought back and reduced the lead with a goal just before halftime.After concerted pressure, Australia’s equaliser finally came three minutes into the third quarter.Both teams pushed hard for the winner, but the respective defences held and the match had to go into extra time, when Giersch finally scored the winner.The result gave Namibia the 13th position on the world ranking, one place up from their debut at the 2005 World Championships when they finished 14th.The day before, Namibia lost 7-1 to Brazil in a positional playoff match.Brazil took an early lead with two goals in the first four minutes and from then on dominated the match.Two more goals in the second quarter gave them a 4-0 lead at halftime.Namibia’s only goal came seven minutes into the third quarter when Arne Rodenwoldt scored a fine individual goal.Brazil soon replied with a goal of their own in the third quarter and two more goals in the final quarter gave them a comprehensive victory.- namibiasport.com.naNamibia took the lead two minutes into the second quarter when Cello Bass scored, assisted by Arne Rodenwoldt.Two minutes later Namibia scored again with Francois Jacobs putting the puck into the net after a fine build-up involving Arne Rodenwoldt and Marco Debortoli.Australia opened their account in the 19th minute but Namibia stretched their lead two minutes later when Baas scored his second goal.But Australia fought back and reduced the lead with a goal just before halftime.After concerted pressure, Australia’s equaliser finally came three minutes into the third quarter.Both teams pushed hard for the winner, but the respective defences held and the match had to go into extra time, when Giersch finally scored the winner.The result gave Namibia the 13th position on the world ranking, one place up from their debut at the 2005 World Championships when they finished 14th.The day before, Namibia lost 7-1 to Brazil in a positional playoff match.Brazil took an early lead with two goals in the first four minutes and from then on dominated the match. Two more goals in the second quarter gave them a 4-0 lead at halftime.Namibia’s only goal came seven minutes into the third quarter when Arne Rodenwoldt scored a fine individual goal.Brazil soon replied with a goal of their own in the third quarter and two more goals in the final quarter gave them a comprehensive victory.- namibiasport.com.na
