USA save draw, Slovenia win with last-second goal in the President’s Cup

Japan, Slovenia and Saudi Arabia each secured their second win at Germany/Greece 2023, starting the President’s Cup with wins in their bid for a better finish in the competition.
 
Slovenia registered a last-gasp win against Argentina (30:29), scoring a goal in the last second. At the same time, Saudi Arabia also clinched a dramatic win over Chile (19:18) and Japan secured a big win over Costa Rica (41:22).
 
Another dramatic game was the one pitting together Algeria and the USA, with the American side sealing a draw (23:23), thanks to a goal from Matisse Walker coming in the last second.

President’s Cup

• Group I

Algeria vs United States of America 23:23 (10:9)
 
An otherworldly start of the game for Algerian goalkeeper Boudemagh Houssem, who saved seven shots from the first nine he faced – for a 77% saving efficiency – helped the African side get a perfect footing into the game, albeit their attack failed to produce a strong performance, which would have enabled them to create a bigger gap.
 
Yet Houssem and Algeria’s defence continued to work wonders, keeping the American side at bay, despite Danilo Rojevic’s side starting to get better and better in attack. Despite three missed penalties, USA eventually scored nine goals in the first 30 minutes, to cut Algeria’s gap down to only one goal (10:9), fueling their hopes for a comeback in the second half.
 
Houssem, the hummel Player of the Match, who is now boasting the highest tally of saves at Germany/Greece 2023 (43), continued to produce some outstanding saves, keeping the USA at bay. In fact, Houssem finished the game with 23 saves, for a 50% saving efficiency, in one of the most dominant games by a goalkeeper in the competition so far.
 
But his excellent display did not help Algeria seal the win. With eight minutes left, the African side led by as many as six goals (23:17), only for them to fail to score any goal in their last attacks. USA took advantage of that and scored six unanswered goals, including the decider in the last second through Matisse Walker, which set the tie (23:23).
 
Poland are now alone in the lead, on four points in group I of the President’s Cup, as they face Algeria on Monday, with Poland needing at least a draw to clinch the first place. USA face Libya in the last game of the group, as both sides try to secure their first win at Germany/Greece 2023.
 
hummel Player of the Match: Boudemagh Houssem (Algeria)

• Group II

Japan vs Costa Rica 41:22 (21:10)

Japan joined Kuwait at the top of the group after their second win at Germany/Greece 2023. Japan were too strong for debutants Costa Rica who converted only 45% shots in the first half with 12 turnovers. Due to the lead Japan gained, Costa Rica slowly faltered as the final minutes were approaching. 

Japan were in control of the match from the start, not allowing Costa Rica to take the lead once. As Naoki Fujisaka netted his fifth goal in the game, Japan were in front by 5 (13:7). The gap kept getting wider as Costa Rica made forced mistakes with the addition of seven saves by Hiroto Imai at a saving efficiency of 43%.

While the Japanese players had their shot efficiency above 83% throughout the whole match, having 13 players score at least once, Costa Rica's main forces were Drivan Fabián Cubero Gómez and Jerson Yafeth Cantarero Martínez. 

When Japan stop one of your best scorers, Eric Andrey Suárez Matarrita, leaving him with no goals from eight attempts, you know the opponents read you well. Costa Rica are now waiting for the last group II match against Angola on Monday, with high hopes to get their hands on the first-ever win at the IHF Men's Junior World Championship.

hummel Player of the Match: Shin Izumoto (Japan)

 

 

 

• Group III

Slovenia vs Argentina 30:29 (15:15)
 
A last-second goal from back Vid Miklavec helped Slovenia seal their first win in the President’s Cup at Germany/Greece 2023, as the European side broke a two-game winless streak in the competition against Argentina, with a 30:29 win.
 
Argentina started the game better, as Slovenia were reeling from their missed chances against Bahrain and Sweden, failing to complete their objective and seal a main round berth. But Slovenia slowly came back into the game, guided by Miklavec, Tarik Velić and Mitja Janc, who combined for 20 goals in the match.
 
Therefore, a 5:2 Argentina lead was quickly cancelled, but the South American team, which proved to be a tough nut to crack in this competition so far, stayed close to Slovenia, as the two sides entered into a 15:15 deadlock at the break, which looked to favour Slovenia, as the more experienced side.
 
That stood true in the second half, as Slovenia opened an early six-goal gap, only for a 5:0 Argentina run, spurred by Tomás Martín Garay Gomez and Martin Nicolás Jung, who combined for 11 goals in the game, managed to bring back the South American side and tie the game (25:25) with 10 minutes to go.
 
The two teams continued to trade blows, but eventually, it was Slovenia who secured the two points after Miklavec converted a free throw in the last second of the game, helping his side earn a 30:29 win and go top of the group, with four points, as the game against Norway, scheduled for Monday, will be the decider for the top place in group III.
 
Argentina are still without a point and will likely head to the Placement Matches 25-28, provided they secure a win in their last match against Greenland on Monday, where they will be favoured, despite having lost all the four matches they played so far at Germany/Greece 2023.
 
hummel Player of the Match: Luka Zupančič (Slovenia)

• Group IV

Saudi Arabia vs Chile 19:18 (10:9)

After Morocco and Cuba shared spoils earlier today (24:24), the second group IV match could also have ended in a draw. However, the Asian team snatched their second win in the competition in this low-scoring game – and again by just one goal, two days after they beat Cuba 28:27.

With four points, Saudi Arabia top the group and are certain to proceed to the Placement Matches 17-24. In turn, Chile suffered their fourth straight defeat and will go to the Placement Matches 25-32.

Both teams’ scoring left much to be desired in this encounter, but Chile had a better shot efficiency, 55% against Saudi Arabia's 45%. Besides, Chilean goalkeeper Esteban Menanteau did a good job, stopping 17 balls for a 49% saving efficiency. However, his teammates made many technical errors, resulting in 20 turnovers. 

While Saudi Arabia had had a strong start in all their previous matches, Chile took early control of this game and led 5:3 midway through the first half. However, three goals from Qasem Alturki lifted the Asians to a 5:0 run in the next six minutes, and Saudi Arabia led by one goal at the break.

After the restart, their advantage reached four goals at 14:10 and 15:11, but as Menanteau shone in goal, Chile pushed hard for a comeback. Yet, they were never able to draw level. After Luciano Scaramelli slashed the gap to 19:18 in the 54th minute, both sides had several chances, but did not score, so Saudi Arabia celebrated a win. 

hummel Player of the Match: Eseban Menanteau (Chile) 

 

Photos: IHF / Paris Sarrikostas, HHF