Chile gave themselves too much to do in the second half against Republic of Korea today in the opening match of the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 – Men’s Tournament 1 in Montenegro, losing 35:36.

The South American side went into the half-time break eight goals down as Korea goalkeeper Jaeyong Park made an incredible 25 saves to give his nation hope of making Tokyo 2020.

TOURNAMENT 1
Chile vs Republic of Korea 35:36 (11:19)

Maybe it was the pressure of a possible ticket to Tokyo 2020 being taken away almost immediately with a loss, but the first three attacks each from both Korea and Chile did not find the ball buried in the net of either goal.
 
It took a full four minutes before Erwin Feuchtmann scored for Chile, nicely spinning away from his Korean shadow to sink home, but Feuchtmann and his South American teammates would ultimately be frustrated by Korean goalkeeper Jaeyong Park.
 
The Hanam Handball Club player made 14 first half saves to help build an eight-goal half-time lead which would prove to be just about unassailable for the Chileans (11:19) with Chile coach Matteo Garralda later admitting Park was “…one of the main points we lost the game.”
 
After just 14 minutes Park had clocked up an impressive 75% save ratio after stopping nine shots from 12 attempts. Minutes later, the Asian side finally got some daylight between them and their opponents (7:4, 17th minute) as they pushed ahead in the second 15 minutes of the opening period despite Chile coach Mateo Garralda taking a time out to try and address the momentum against his side.
 
“We gave them the first half, we made many mistakes and with this amount [of mistakes] it is difficult to win the game,” said Chile’s left back Victor Donoso after the game. “The second half was better and we showed what the real Chile is.”
 
Chile knew they were in trouble when Korea captain Min Ho Ha unleashed three big nine-metre rockets towards the end of the first half (16:10) as he led his side to what should have been an easier second half.
 
More of the same came in the opening exchanges of the second period as a rare Korean breakthrough – their first of the game – played through an open, and desperate, 4-2 Chilean defence (21:14, 35th minute).
 
As late as the 39th minute, Korea held a nine-goal lead (26:17), but the second Chile time out sparked what was nearly an amazing comeback. By the 48th minute Garralda’s side were just two behind (27:29) after a 10:3 scoring run, led by the magician Erwin Feuchtmann – a turnaround which did not please Korea coach Kang Il Koo who took a time out.
 
This pause ensured his players took a breath and returned to what had got them such a healthy lead as Park started saving again (24 saves, 53rd minute), but Chile never gave up, coming back again to within one (35:36) after being 31:35 behind.
 
As the game entered the last minute, Korea went into attack, but under passive play missed the opportunity to go two up and kill the game.
 
A dramatic last 16 seconds ensued and Chile took off their goalkeeper but their combination play over to the left wing saw captain Rodrigo Salinas’ pass intercepted by Kwangsoon Park who pushed the ball out of bounds. Chile’s chance was gone and Korea limped over the finish line.
 
“The first half we had a big goal difference and the second half we made many mistakes,” said Korea captain Min Ho Ha. “In the end though, we won, and we will learn from this.”

Photo: Stefan Ivanovic/RSCG