The block draws for the World Gateball Championships has been released. The blocks involving Australian teams are as follows:
Block A-2
A: Korea Union
B: Australia - Canberra
C: Hong Kong, China Team No 1
D: Brazil 7
The most ominous team here appears to be Korea Union which appears to be a composite side (selected players perhaps). Other Korean sides at the tournament represent their city or region.
Block B-2
a: Brazil 8
b: Australia - Southport
c: Hong Kong, China Team No 4
d: Russia Sakhalin
This is a fascinating, very global group. This is the only group that doesn't include any teams from the big four (Japan, China, Korea or Taiwan).
Block A-4
A: Iwate Kuji (Japan)
B: Zhengzhou Yongtong (China)
C: Australia - Wombats
D: Inchon Kyodong C (Korea)This looks like a tough group however the Wombats are well equiped to combat this as the most successful Australian team at the World Championships having won two of their three block matches when they last competed in Toyama, Japan, 2002.
Block B-8
a: Brazil 12
b: Yunnan Liming (China)
c: Australia - Brolgas
d: Partisan Gateball Bali (Indonesia)
Another very global group, it will be great to play against Bali, Indonesia, our close neighbours.
Block A-11
A: Brazil 6
B: Hebei Langfang (China)
C: Australia - Koalas
D: Macau Gateball Team 2Four of the five Australian groups include Brazilian teams. Brazillian teams are a relatively unkown quantity however there is extensive footage of Gateball in Brazil posted on YouTube (including some large tournaments). Their tournaments are predominantly played on clay.
The order of matches from the last world Championships are listed below. It is not yet known if Shanghai will follow the same playing order.
Day 1
A vs B
a vs b
C vs D
c vs d
A vs D
a vs d
B vs C
b vs c
Day 2
A vs C
a vs c
B vs D
b vs d
Knockout rounds
A complete listing of the 23 blocks is below. The defending champions Osaka Midori have drawn group B-9.
Does anyone have any comments on the draw?
No sign of Greenpia. I wonder how old the team from Zhenger Primary School are!?
ReplyDeleteI heard that the Canberra team were travelling to Hong Kong prior to flying to Shanghai.
ReplyDeleteWas this to check out the Hong Kong local team before they play them in the championships?
It's good to see two Australian teams sharing a court (but not playing against each other).
ReplyDeleteGilon
For Southport players it will be a fascinating series of games. Keiichi-san told me today that the team from Sakhalin is a team of young people much like the Canberra team. As to coping with the tactics of the opposition team, no matter what happens, it is still up to us to play our best, place the balls right where they are needed, and make the best of our gate- touches or double touches.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to the Australian Teams - especially the Brolgas, of course!
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing to remember is Self belief.
Bruce Fleming
Past Australian Team Captain
Is it possible for Australia to take out, 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the World Championships?
ReplyDeleteIf this was possible and you did take the three top spots, I wonder if Australia would run out of champayne?
Thanks for the comments. In answer to the questions yes some of the Canberra team are meeting some teams for a warm-up in Hong Kong beforehand although we're not sure if they will include Hong Kong 1.
ReplyDeleteYes, Australian teams could technically meet in the final (although we're getting a long, long way ahead of ourselves here). Generally in the knock-out phase the A blocks and B blocks are separated until the final.