Kosovo 2019: Youth (U19) Review – Matchday 2

Youth (U19) Competition: Thursday 11 April

On the second matchday of the 2018/19 IHF Men’s Trophy Intercontinental Phase youth competition New Zealand were knocked out of contention for a semi-final spot after losing their second of two games in group B, while Chinese Taipei made sure of their last four place with a second victory in as many days, against Nigeria in group A.

The results mean that the final group A match between Nigeria and Paraguay is effectively a play-off for the semi-finals with the winners joining Paraguay in the semi-finals. Group B is already decided with the Canada vs Kosovo match tomorrow deciding the group winners.

Group B: Kosovo vs New Zealand 41:14 (18:5)

Kosovo’s youth men opened their championship campaign on home ground with a convincing 27-goal victory over 13-man New Zealand in the first of four games today at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Pristina.

The squads in the IHF Trophy have to name a squad of 14 players instead of the usual 16 and New Zealand, who had travelled from Belgrade to Pristina to be at this tournament had left behind Angus Hamilton who had remained in the Serbian capital after picking up food poisoning, consigned to a hospital bed.

Known as the ‘Kiwis’ after the native bird from their island nation, New Zealand performed their traditional haka ceremonial dance before the match but knew it would be an uphill struggle against a strong home team.

But Kosovo were in control for most of the game with Adonit Isufi top-scoring for the host nation (eight goals) as Gentian Mani and Leonard Muqolli in goal turned in a 60% save rate overall, although the kiwi’s lack of effectiveness in attack cost them dear, turning over the ball throughout the 60 minutes and coupled with bad luck in front of goal as they hit the woodwork a number of times.

Kosovo made nearly every failed New Zealand attack count as they quickly sped down the opposite end to sink home.

While Kosovo coach Jeton Havolli will be pleased to have rotated his bench fully, he knows that the match against Canada tomorrow for the group B title will prove more of a test as they aim to finish in top spot. New Zealand have a rest day tomorrow to prepare for their 5/6 placement match on Saturday (13 April).

“We are feeling good here,” said Kosovo’s Vilson Gojani. “All the players and our coaches have a good connection and we are trying to prepare for the best in the future. New Zealand played tactical handball and were strong in defence but in the end, we were stronger in defence.

“We have been working on the Canada match for a week now,” he continued. “We have some special tactics for it and have watched a lot of their matches to prepare.

“I feel special when I hear the anthem and see the flag. It’s not the same for the team for the clubs but when I play for the national team it’s more and more emotion match. I cannot explain my emotion before the match.

“I started playing handball in Italy in 2008 when I moved there at eight years old. In Italy I am shorter player and my job is to create more space for other players, I play in the centre and I make some space for the wingers and others players to score the goals, because I am short - they play much more strongly in Italy.”

View photos from the match HERE.

Group A: Chinese Taipei vs Nigeria 36:18 (18:8)

Nigeria made their U19 debut in Kosovo, but after just 16 minutes coach Emeka Joseph Nnanami had already taken their first team time-out as his side found themselves down by five (9:4). Unfortunately, things got worse as the Asian team extended their lead to 13:4 a few minutes later, taking a 10-goal lead into the half-time break (18:8) after they had first opened up a double-digit lead in the 23rd minute (15:5).

The second half was more of the same with Nigeria suffering an early blow, losing Faruk Yusuf to a red car after he picked up his third two-minute suspension with just three minutes gone in the second period.

Hakeem Damilare Salami top-scored for the African side with six goals, while Wei Hsiang Tseng impressed with nine strikes.

“We feel great,” said Tseng after the match. “We have worked hard for this and it’s good to go to the next stage.

“We were expecting the game to be closer, but it was still difficult to compete with them as they are stronger than us. We couldn’t get used to it at first, but in the second half we did our best and scored enough goals to get a gap.”

View photos from the match HERE.

Tomorrow, Nigeria play Paraguay (1pm) and Canada take on Kosovo (5pm) in the final two games of the group stages of the U19 competition.

All games will be streamed live on the IHF website.

Photo: Shpend Ahmeti/Kosovo Handball Federation