Poland's Placzek shines in dramatic win against Japan

Japan missed five penalties in another close loss against Poland, 30:32, as the European side joined Germany into the main round, with two spots sealed already from Group F.

GROUP F
Poland vs Japan 32:30 (15:15)

Two days ago, Japan proved their worth in a tightly contested match against Germany, won by the European side by the skin of their teeth, with a last-gasp goal from back Xenia Smits, leaving Japan empty-handed.

But the Asian side did not have much time to complain about that painful loss, as their quarter-finals dream was on the line, with another crucial match against an European side – Poland – waiting in the wings, with anything but a win for Japan seeing the Asian team facing a mountain to climb to progress between the top eight sides in the world.

Fully knowing that, Japan did start the match on a strong note, with the Asian side magnificently quarterbacked by Natsuki Aizawa, who was the hummel Player of the Match against Germany, with 10 goals and nine assists. Aizawa was the fulcrum of Japan’s attack once again, with her outstanding pace leaving Poland’s defenders reeling.

Therefore, Japan boasted a 7:6 lead after 12 minutes, but Poland’s physicality proved to be a crucial factor in the match, as Arne Senstad’s side started to roll, especially as right back Monika Kobylinska was flawless, scoring six goals and dishing three assists in the first half.

A 4:0 run for Poland turned the game on its head and saw the European side take a 10:7 lead after 18 minutes, but in the end, the first half ended in a deadlock, with Japan seeing Aizawa and Haruno Sasaki delivering some excellent flashes, to see the Asian side bounce back, 15:15.

A 5:2 run fueled by Kobylinska and centre back Emilia Galinska helped Poland open up the largest gap in the match, 24:21, but the European side could not have created this lead were not for goalkeeper Adrianna Placzek, who saved four penalties and had a 32% saving efficiency throughout the match.

Yet Japan, which came back from four goals down against Germany, did the same thing against Poland, preventing the European side to score for six minutes and 11 seconds, using a 3:0 unanswered run to wrestle back the lead, 27:26, with only seven minutes to go, as their excellent defence did the job, after switching from 6-0 to 5-1.

Going all-in for the win, Japan also used a seven-on-six attack, which immediately yielded dividends, but the game was not over. Poland bounced back, with Kobylinska shining in attack, to take a 29:27 lead, with six minutes to go. Once again, though, the game was not over, having more surprises in store.

Japan had the chance to tie the match, but missed another penalty, while Poland’s experience rubbed through until the end, with Kobylinska drawing a penalty throw, converted by right wing Magda Balsam with one minute to go, setting up the European side for the win, 32:30. It was Japan's second close loss, after the 30:31 one against Germany, proving that the Asian side is clearly on the rise.

With two wins in two matches, Poland are through to the main round and will fight with Germany to take all four points into the main round, while Japan face the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the winner of that match also progressing to the next phase on Monday.

hummel Player of the Match: Haruno Sasaki (Japan)