President’s Cup Group II: Four teams look for their first win

20 Jan. 2021

President’s Cup Group II: Four teams look for their first win

Austria meet Morocco, while the youngest side in the competition, Republic of Korea, meet an experienced Chilean team, as the four teams in Group II each look to claim their first win at Egypt 2021.

Austria vs Morocco 19:00 CAT

Everything unravelled for Austria after their first round loss against Switzerland, 25:28. The Austrian side had a mountain to climb, since their next meetings were against France and Norway. They failed to win a point against either meaning they were eliminated from contention.

“We are not happy that we are in the President’s Cup, but this young team needs to win and we will try our best in that group,” said Austria’s coach, Ales Pajovic after the loss against Norway on Monday.

For the second IHF Men’s World Championship in a row, Austria have failed to progress to the main round, and they will have their worst ever finish in the competition at Egypt 2021.

Yet, as Pajovic said, there will be no room for complacency, despite Austria being the only European side to take part in the President’s Cup.

In their first game at New Capital Sports Hall, Austria will be pitted against a fiery Moroccan side, which plays with the pedal to the metal, especially in defence.

Their aggressive approach can wreak havoc on opponent’s attacks, but as the game progresses, Morocco pay the price.

The African side scored the least amount of goals in the preliminary round from the teams that are now in the President’s Cup, 66, but coach Noureddine Bouhadioui remains upbeat.

“We still have three games left, so we will be trying to improve, because we qualified for the World Championship for the first time in 14 years,” said Bouhadioui.

If Morocco win, it will be only their third at an IHF Men’s World Championship in their history and they will need more from goalkeeper Yassina Idrissi, who recorded the most saves in the first three matches in the competition, 36.

Chile vs Republic of Korea 21:30 CAT

Chile’s challenge to secure their best-ever result at the IHF Men’s World Championship has hit a snag after the South American side were eliminated from the preliminary round after losing all three games, against Egypt, Sweden and North Macedonia.

But there will be no room for complacency, as Matteo Garralda’s side will be looking for at least one win in Group II of the President’s Cup.

Chile have won at least a game in each of their five World Championship participations and a good start against the Republic of Korea would definitely help the chances of increasing that streak.

Despite failing to win a game at Egypt 2021, Chile are on the rise, with seven players playing in Spain. 

On the other side, Korea have had a serious makeover, boasting the youngest average age in the tournament, 20,3 years old, with no player over the age of 22.

However, Korea might have uncovered a gem in 20-year old Kim Jinyoung, who has scored 18 goals in the first three games at Egypt 2021.

With their superior experience, a full 7,6 older average age, the Chilean side might be favourite on Wednesday, especially if their top scorer, Erwin Feuchtmann, who hit 21 goals in the preliminary round, is on point.

The two sides have already met once at the IHF Men’s World Championship in the preliminary round at Sweden 2011, when Chile made its debut. Korea easily won the game 37:22.