The Taiwan women’s beach handball team on Tuesday opened their campaign at the sixth World Beach Handball Championship in Brazil with two losses, but vowed to do their best to win upcoming matches.
The opening ceremony for the tournament was held in Recife after Taiwan’s games, the first of which was against Uruguay and the second against hosts Brazil.
Taiwan struggled in the first half against Uruguay and although they improved in the second half, they eventually succumbed 31-24.
Photo courtesy of Chang Jung-hsien
They then met title holders Brazil, whose players are 10cm taller on average than Taiwan’s, which gives them a distinct advantage.
Taiwan head coach Chang Jung-hsien told the team to use their speed to create scoring opportunities, but the home side played too well and beat the visitors 40-17.
Despite losing, Chang and his players said they highly appreciate the support of all the Taiwanese — many of them students — who attended the games and cheered them on, adding that they would do their best to win their following matches.
Taiwan have nine games to go, against Italy, Australia, Norway, Spain, Argentina, Thailand, Ukraine, Denmark and Hungary. They are one of 24 national teams — 12 men’s and 12 women’s — playing in the tournament.
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