Guinea with victory over 8-players India team

August 07, (Skopje, Sports Centre Jane Sandanski)

GUINEA – INDIA 38-28 (17-16)

Kouroma 8, , M. Bangoura 8, Soumah 7 – Kumari 9, Jassi 6

***Player of the match – M’mah Kouroma from Guinea***

India was shorthanded in this match with just eight players in the roster (one of them – goalkeeper) and just one person in the coaching staff. The Indian team still managed to be better than the opponent in the opening of the game, taking a 3-1 lead in the fifth minute. Guinea turned the result around when Soumah scored from a counter-attack for an 8-7 lead of the African side.

The aggressive defense on the best Indian player Jassi had great result for Guinea, as the “red and black team” easily built a three goal lead (12-9). India didn’t surrender and managed to come back into this match, cutting the Guinea’s lead to just one goal before halftime (17-16).

Indian goalkeeper Chetna made some great saves in the opening minutes of the second half, helping her team to equalize (18-18) in the 33. minute. However, the Indian players lost their strength as time went on, with Guinea taking a 25-21 lead before the timeout called by the Indian coach. Things didn’t change on the field as Guinea raised the lead to six goals (27-21), controlling the tempo and the result until the end of the match, winning with .

With this victory, Guinea claimed the 29. spot in the ranking of this World championship, as India takes the 30. position, in front of Uruguay and Algeria.