U18 Women's Worlds: Belgian Girls U18 narrowly loose to Kazakhstan U18 Women's Worlds: Belgian Girls U18 narrowly loose to Kazakhstan

SOFIA - Today, January 29, the national women's team U18 played the third match of its World Championship campaign DIV2B in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The opponent of this second match day was Kazakhstan. An opponent not to be underestimated, because Kazakhstan was relegated from a higher group since last Worlds.

It wasn't going to be an easy task. The pressure from Kazakhstan on our girls is high and in the fourth minute Sofiya RAKOVSKAYA can score unimpeded. Halfway through the period, the Kazakhs score again, but a few seconds later Ans Van Hoof drills the puck into the Kazakh nets via a hard long shot from the blue line.

The second period remains extremely exciting. Kazakhstan increases the pressure, but goalie Anouk Belmans keeps the girls in the game. Time and time again she is a wall that can’t be penetrated. And then it happens... in the sixth minute, Abby AZITEMINA KUDIDILA scores the long-awaited equalizer on a pass from Ans VAN HOOF! The Belgians are back in the game. The momentum is right there. Kazakhstan's ZUBKOVA disappears to the penalty box for 2 minutes. The Belgians work the power play and score! Fenna SEMPELS via Camille SOMMERSCHUH! Belgium starts the third period in the lead!

Five minutes into the third period, Fenna SEMPELS goes to the penalty box for 2 minutes for hooking. Kazakhstan benefits from the numerical majority and scores the equalizer. Three minutes later, Team Belgium had to swallow another goal. Kazakhstan can score one last time and that immediately seals the match. Although a defeat for our girls, they can look back on this game with their heads held high.

Final score: KAZ-BEL: 5-3 (2-1; 0-2; 3-0) with goals from Fenna Sempels, Ans Van Hoof, Abby Azitemina Kudidila

MVP Team Belgium: Anke Steeno #9

Game Schedule Team Belgium U18W

26.01.2023 – 16:30 (15:30) – ISL vs. BEL: 2-3 OT Victory

27.01.2023 – 16:30 (15:30) – BEL vs. EST: 7-0 Victory

29.01.2023 – 16:30 (15:30) – KAZ vs. BEL: 5-3 Defeat

31.01. 2023 – 16:30 (15:30) – BEL vs. NZL

01.02.2023 – 16:30 (15:30) – BUL vs. BEL  

LIVE STREAMING: RBIHFtv

 
 
Posted on January 29, 2023 at 17:54 by CP