It was a slightly reshuffled team that started the 5th match of the season, with a married Alex back to the team, an injured Ulf keeping civil clothes for the day and a late Norbert, it was decided to start as follow from left to right: Markus, Stefan, PA, Hans, Michael and Alex on the line with Norbert ready to get in after 10 minutes. With Wan unable to come, Angus had his turn at playing the full match. The team was otherwise fully equiped with 14 players in total. To the regular Dominik, Yoann, Rolf and Norbert, the team welcomed back Lars once again fully fit and Guillaume from paternity leave!
Winning the toss, Yan Chai declined the ball which Hans used to good effect opening the score for AKITA. In defense though, AKITA struggled to find his mark and conceded too much space with Yan Chai using astutely their oversized line player. Stefan scored twice but Yan Chai was following close and moved one up with a quick fast break. The AKITA team was proving quite resourceful spreading the ball with Markus making a real difference in starting the movements and Alex ending them safely to come back to 5-5. This was the start of a strong five minutes for AKITA with a much improved defending. Hans (with 2), Michael and Markus allowed for it to be 5 in a row and 9-5 on the 11th minute.
With some breathing space, the AKITA team had an opportunity to break clear but the Yan Chai team was remarkable of abnegation and effort and scored three before Yoann scored his first. The flow of goal was definitely outside of the AKITA standard but with Yan Chai trying to surprise with fast attack on all chances and AKITA happy to run the fast breaks with a strong bench there was no reason for slowing down. Hans scored 2 to answer to Yan Chai goals before Norbert first for a 13 - 10 lead with 5 minutes before the interval. The ball was circulating quite well and with Yan Chai bench suffering against a more homogenous AKITA team, Yoann, Hans, Norbert made it 16 - 12. To finish the half, Lars seeing a gap in the defense surprised everyone with a low shot from the right ending in the bottom left of the goal. With one goal for one shot, this was definitely German efficiency.
The second half started like the first with each team answering to each other. Using the advantage of a late 2 minutes for Hans after he protested too expressively for an opponent tripping him on a fast break without being sanctioned, Yan Chai Scored first but Hans answered immediately on his return with his adrenaline still quite high from the event. Norbert scored a penalty for 19 – 14 and a Hans goal made it 20 in only 31 minutes. After another 2 minutes was whistled on Dominik who had made the effort to run to try to stop a fast break, PA moved to the left wing to fill the gap and made good use of the Yan Chai high defense to erase the defender and slot the ball between the legs of the keeper for his only shot of the day. With Hans slotting a power shot through the keeper, this was 2-0 for this period with one man down and a 6 goal advantage for the first time. Thanks to their never say die attitude, Yan Chai kept pushing trying to make goals as fast as possible as time was slipping through. Stefan was nevertheless keeping the count and he added two goals to protect the AKITA lead. With 10 minutes to go the score was on 24 – 19.
A dip in concentration by AKITA was all Yan Chai needed to score 3 in 2 minutes and come back within 2 goals. Unfortunately, it was about to be Angus’ time. As Hans came back on the pitch to score his 10th of the day, Angus proved himself just unbeatable, with the Yan Chai Team presenting themselves alone in front of him on fast breaks, he saved three out of the in the last 5 minutes. It was making things too easy for the other players obviously as Hans added a last personal one, before Norbert and Markus closed the score 28 - 22.
Hans 11, Stefan 4, Norbert 4, Yoann 2, Markus 2, Michael 1, Lars 1, PA 1
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Akita Handball Team Hong Kong
AKITA Handball Club (aka the Gwailo Team) has been founded in September 2008 and is the only team in HK using English as its training language, providing an international flair to the Hong Kong Handball League.
The team is open to all nationalities and is training in Lai Chi Kok Sports Park or in Choi Hung Sports Centre. You are invited to join us for training - it is free of charge.
Note: to play with us official matches, you will need to register with the Hong Kong Handball Association, which requires you to have a HKID card.
The team is open to all nationalities and is training in Lai Chi Kok Sports Park or in Choi Hung Sports Centre. You are invited to join us for training - it is free of charge.
Note: to play with us official matches, you will need to register with the Hong Kong Handball Association, which requires you to have a HKID card.
Contact
For questions, email us at AkitaHC@gmail.com.Thursday, October 8, 2009
AKITA guys look pretty in their new shirts!
As disclosed in the previous post, AKITA received new shirts and shorts for the 2009-2010 season. We have received a set of white shirts (that will satisfy the Germans in the team) and a set of sky blue shirts that were inaugurated with a victory!
Thanks to our sponsor and partner AKITA for those SVH17. Apparently some of our opponents liked the shirt very much too considering how they grabbed them during the match!
You can see some example of the AKITA products on their website by clicking on the AKITA logo on the right. To celebrate the new shirts, the blog has changed its colors too (at least for the time being)!!
Thanks to our sponsor and partner AKITA for those SVH17. Apparently some of our opponents liked the shirt very much too considering how they grabbed them during the match!
You can see some example of the AKITA products on their website by clicking on the AKITA logo on the right. To celebrate the new shirts, the blog has changed its colors too (at least for the time being)!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
AKITA's courageous performance earns them a 20 -19 win against MAGIC (10 -8)
After drawing the previous match, AKITA really wanted a positive performance against the yet undefeated MAGIC team. AKITA was presenting itself with new shirts thanks to its sponsor AKITA but without regulars Yoann, Angus and Hans unavailable on the China National Day.
Because of the tight schedule, both team had to start without any warm up on the pitch. Winning the draw, AKITA opted to leave the ball in order to benefit from any potential clumsy start. They did not have to wait much as the third MAGIC's pass flew directly to the side line giving the ball back to AKITA. AKITA needed 2 penalties for that but still were the team opening the scoring with Norbert. This was followed with a bad spell to drop 3 - 1 down in 5 minutes. Markus brought the score to parity with 2 goals in quick succession and Ulf scored his first. MAGIC came back as it was deemed to be a close contest for the whole of the match.
The weather was hot and both teams were struggling for air already which resulted in numerous turnovers. The fresh blood from Dominic, Rolf and Michael was making a difference. Wan who had to play the whole match with no change was vigilant and was able to make some good save when MAGIC was forced to shoot from the distance. A Rolf goal followed by Stefan first allowed for a 2 goals advantage for the first time. At that time, AKITA was having the upper hand with Michael entrance adding a different threat resulting in an immediate goal. Ulf was finding great passes to deceive the MAGIC defense and Matsuo quick hands allowed him for a goal too. Stefan scored his second as he finally managed to keep the ball low and Michael made it 10 -7. A last minute penalty for MAGIC made it 10 - 8 before the break.
The half time was all about recuperation and concentration, the team was reminded to cover the defense quickly as MAGIC best chances were usually on first and second waves. This was immediately confirmed at the restart as a lost ball by AKITA yielded a MAGIC goal.
Ulf making a strong impression on that day scored and gave Matsuo the ball for a 3 goal advantage but AKITA was not really able to limit MAGIC's scoring for a consistent period of time like they managed against other teams. Both teams were staying neck to neck as Michael restored twice a 2 goal advantage. As MAGIC seemed tired, AKITA was trying to take advantage but could not steer away. With MAGIC back to a one goal deficit, it was time for Jessica, the AKITA team official of the day, to ask for a time out.
With 15 minutes to go and only a 1 goal advantage, it was a match on its own that started. After some ball circulation, Norbert found the opportunity with a hip shot. A penalty and fast break for MAGIC provoked roars from their bench. Ulf restored the advantage but both benches were getting even more vocal when MAGIC came back again. After some poor shooting for the day, PA opened his account on the left half thanks to Markus' work. Michael who had moved to the right wing scored his fifth but each goal was answered by MAGIC. With 2 minutes to go, AKITA obtained another penalty. Under the pressure, Norbert went to a simple powerful shot in the bottom left for 19 - 18.
With only a minute to go, MAGIC was cracking under pressure and lost the ball on a confused play in the middle. Stefan was immediately running for the fast break and made sure he did not shoot before seeing the white of the keeper's eyes. With 2 goals and 30 seconds to play, the MAGIC team knew it was too late but still managed a last effort with a goal from number 6, their best player on the day, on the buzzer.
With this one goal victory, the first ever for AKITA, the team becomes the only undefeated team in the league and takes the outright league in a division where most team are extremely close.
Michael 5, Norbert 3, Stefan 3, Ulf 3, Markus 2, Matsuo 2, Rolf 1, PA 1
Because of the tight schedule, both team had to start without any warm up on the pitch. Winning the draw, AKITA opted to leave the ball in order to benefit from any potential clumsy start. They did not have to wait much as the third MAGIC's pass flew directly to the side line giving the ball back to AKITA. AKITA needed 2 penalties for that but still were the team opening the scoring with Norbert. This was followed with a bad spell to drop 3 - 1 down in 5 minutes. Markus brought the score to parity with 2 goals in quick succession and Ulf scored his first. MAGIC came back as it was deemed to be a close contest for the whole of the match.
The weather was hot and both teams were struggling for air already which resulted in numerous turnovers. The fresh blood from Dominic, Rolf and Michael was making a difference. Wan who had to play the whole match with no change was vigilant and was able to make some good save when MAGIC was forced to shoot from the distance. A Rolf goal followed by Stefan first allowed for a 2 goals advantage for the first time. At that time, AKITA was having the upper hand with Michael entrance adding a different threat resulting in an immediate goal. Ulf was finding great passes to deceive the MAGIC defense and Matsuo quick hands allowed him for a goal too. Stefan scored his second as he finally managed to keep the ball low and Michael made it 10 -7. A last minute penalty for MAGIC made it 10 - 8 before the break.
The half time was all about recuperation and concentration, the team was reminded to cover the defense quickly as MAGIC best chances were usually on first and second waves. This was immediately confirmed at the restart as a lost ball by AKITA yielded a MAGIC goal.
Ulf making a strong impression on that day scored and gave Matsuo the ball for a 3 goal advantage but AKITA was not really able to limit MAGIC's scoring for a consistent period of time like they managed against other teams. Both teams were staying neck to neck as Michael restored twice a 2 goal advantage. As MAGIC seemed tired, AKITA was trying to take advantage but could not steer away. With MAGIC back to a one goal deficit, it was time for Jessica, the AKITA team official of the day, to ask for a time out.
With 15 minutes to go and only a 1 goal advantage, it was a match on its own that started. After some ball circulation, Norbert found the opportunity with a hip shot. A penalty and fast break for MAGIC provoked roars from their bench. Ulf restored the advantage but both benches were getting even more vocal when MAGIC came back again. After some poor shooting for the day, PA opened his account on the left half thanks to Markus' work. Michael who had moved to the right wing scored his fifth but each goal was answered by MAGIC. With 2 minutes to go, AKITA obtained another penalty. Under the pressure, Norbert went to a simple powerful shot in the bottom left for 19 - 18.
With only a minute to go, MAGIC was cracking under pressure and lost the ball on a confused play in the middle. Stefan was immediately running for the fast break and made sure he did not shoot before seeing the white of the keeper's eyes. With 2 goals and 30 seconds to play, the MAGIC team knew it was too late but still managed a last effort with a goal from number 6, their best player on the day, on the buzzer.
With this one goal victory, the first ever for AKITA, the team becomes the only undefeated team in the league and takes the outright league in a division where most team are extremely close.
Michael 5, Norbert 3, Stefan 3, Ulf 3, Markus 2, Matsuo 2, Rolf 1, PA 1
AKITA clinches a last minute draw against Ku Chiu Man 19 - 19 (11 -9)
On a warm day to play handball outside, AKITA was meeting a well seasoned team in the second division. Ku Chiu Man was one of the contender for promotion last year and is hopeful for this year.
AKITA had a slow start as Ku Chiu Man opened immediately the scoring as their left half was given too much space. Norbert put the team back to parity immediately but soon enough AKITA suffered its usual problem conceding penalties and trailing 1 -3 and the 2-4 after Hans scored his first. 2 goals from Stefan and Norbert's second allowed AKITA to come back to parity at 5-5.
As the team was now well launched, the ball was flowing better and this unsettled Ku Chiu Man's defense allowing PA to put the team in front from the right wing and then restore this one goal advantage with 2 more goals. Hand made it 9 - 7 but a new lapse in concentration and some lost balls profited Ku Chiu Man to come back to 9 - 9 with 4 minutes to go. A well taken time out at that time combined with a 2minutes penalty against Ku Chiu Man resulted in 2 unanswered goals from Michael and Matsuo to reach half time on 11 -9.
As AKITA started the second half with the ball, the team was keen on making it a 3 goal advantage immediately. Mission accomplished by Norbert immediately. Ku Chiu Man answered but a Norbert penalty and Hans's third made the biggest gap of the match 14 - 10 with 22 minutes to go. By then the AKITA team was starting to show signs of tiredness. A Ku Chiu Man's goal and a penalty made it 14 -12 and although Hans gave the AKITA team some air with one more goal but unfortunately its unability to shoot within the frame became expensive for the team as Ku Chiu Man came back to 15 - 15. A time out was desperately needed and helped the team to refocus. Yoann scored his first and Stefan found the net again for a 17 -15 lead.
This was unfortunately a short lived recovery as Ku Chiu Man once again scored three in a row to take the lead back for the first time since the 9th minute. With 3 minutes to go AKITA needed an extra effort, Michael scored an important one for parity. With one and a half minute to go, AKITA needed the ball back to have a chance of a win but Ku Chiu Man was fully motivated and managed to score.
With 40 seconds to go, the AKITA team was instructed to take the time to build its attack without rushing. The Ku Chiu Man team was desperate to slow the play and run the clock conceding 9 meters. With only 5 seconds to play and another 9 meter penalty, Norbert jumped higher than the defense to score and obtain the draw.
Norbert 5, Hans 4, PA 3, Stefan 3, Michael 2, Matsuo 1, Yoann 1
AKITA had a slow start as Ku Chiu Man opened immediately the scoring as their left half was given too much space. Norbert put the team back to parity immediately but soon enough AKITA suffered its usual problem conceding penalties and trailing 1 -3 and the 2-4 after Hans scored his first. 2 goals from Stefan and Norbert's second allowed AKITA to come back to parity at 5-5.
As the team was now well launched, the ball was flowing better and this unsettled Ku Chiu Man's defense allowing PA to put the team in front from the right wing and then restore this one goal advantage with 2 more goals. Hand made it 9 - 7 but a new lapse in concentration and some lost balls profited Ku Chiu Man to come back to 9 - 9 with 4 minutes to go. A well taken time out at that time combined with a 2minutes penalty against Ku Chiu Man resulted in 2 unanswered goals from Michael and Matsuo to reach half time on 11 -9.
As AKITA started the second half with the ball, the team was keen on making it a 3 goal advantage immediately. Mission accomplished by Norbert immediately. Ku Chiu Man answered but a Norbert penalty and Hans's third made the biggest gap of the match 14 - 10 with 22 minutes to go. By then the AKITA team was starting to show signs of tiredness. A Ku Chiu Man's goal and a penalty made it 14 -12 and although Hans gave the AKITA team some air with one more goal but unfortunately its unability to shoot within the frame became expensive for the team as Ku Chiu Man came back to 15 - 15. A time out was desperately needed and helped the team to refocus. Yoann scored his first and Stefan found the net again for a 17 -15 lead.
This was unfortunately a short lived recovery as Ku Chiu Man once again scored three in a row to take the lead back for the first time since the 9th minute. With 3 minutes to go AKITA needed an extra effort, Michael scored an important one for parity. With one and a half minute to go, AKITA needed the ball back to have a chance of a win but Ku Chiu Man was fully motivated and managed to score.
With 40 seconds to go, the AKITA team was instructed to take the time to build its attack without rushing. The Ku Chiu Man team was desperate to slow the play and run the clock conceding 9 meters. With only 5 seconds to play and another 9 meter penalty, Norbert jumped higher than the defense to score and obtain the draw.
Norbert 5, Hans 4, PA 3, Stefan 3, Michael 2, Matsuo 1, Yoann 1
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