GROUP A: HUNGARY vs SOUTH AFRICA 23-1

Hungary collected its second win with an Olympic record 23-1 destruction of South Africa in their Group A encounter.

The record men’s differential was previously held by Italy, who also beat South Africa on the competition’s opening day — 21-2.

Before Tokyo 2020, the record was shared. In 1932, Hungary's men defeated Japan 17-0 and in 1968, the German Democratic Republic defeated Egypt 19-2.

Hungary lost 10-9 to Greece on the opening day and beat Japan 16-11 and now faces the prospect of tougher matches with United States of America and Italy to close out group play.

The match was nothing more than a training run for Hungary, leaving captain Denes Varga on the sidelines, allowing the team to play a relatively “normal” style after that erratic Japanese match. Tamas Mezei said Hungary worked on its extra-man attack, which brought seven goals from nine attempts, so to that end the match was more than useful.

South Africa lost 21-2 to Italy and 20-3 to USA and those results took their toll.

South African head coach Paul Martin was pleased with the opening two quarters, which Hungary won 4-0 and 5-0. The first goal of the match did not come until 4:27 through Krisztian Manhercz, who went on to amass a perfect five-goal tally.

Marton Vamos and Matyas Pasztor both scored four with Balazs Erdelyi chipping in three.

South Africa’s reprieve came at 2:02 in the final period when Nicholas Rodda slid a ball under the goalkeeper’s right arm from the deep left-hand-catch position.

Match 15, 10:00, Group A, HUNGARY 23 SOUTH AFRICA 1
Quarters: 4-0, 5-0, 8-0, 6-1
Referees: Daniel Daners (URU), German Moller (ARG).
Shots: HUN: 23/38. RSA: 1/22.
Extra Man: HUN: 7/9. RSA: 1/6.
Pens: HUN: 1/1.

FLASH QUOTES

 Paul Martin (RSA) — Head Coach
“Despite the scoreline, there were some of the better passages of play in the whole tournament. We just have to learn how to hold on. The boys were surprised, ‘it shouldn’t be happening’ and they started putting pressure on themselves. We were getting exclusions and looking competitive. The atmosphere gets to them and they start acting as individuals. There were too many individual errors, but our six on six was OK. We just couldn’t take advantage (of centres drawing exclusions).”

Nardus Badenhorst (RSA) — Centre Forward
“It's been a tough competition so far. Our preparation has been difficult during these (Covid-19) times and we’ve had some very, very tough games to play. Obviously it’s never easy playing against these nations, especially Hungary. It was a tough and physical game for us and they are just on a completely different level. Hopefully in the next couple of games we’ll start getting up on that scoreboard.”

GROUP B, SPAIN KAZAKHSTAN — 16-4

Spain made it three from three with a 16-4 margin over Kazakhstan to top the Group B rankings with two playing days left before the all-important finals.

In such a tight group with so many close matches expected, Spain probably has the edge and right to claim a quarterfinal berth.

While the ease with which Spain drifted to the halftime lead, 6-0 was not a huge margin considering the tempo of the match.

“At this Olympic Games no game is easy. In this group (Kazakhstan) is the more easy. We have Australia and Croatia to come. We have six points and qualify for the next round. Australia is a very, very strong team.”
By David Martin (ESP) — Head Coach

The dominance of the team many think will be heading home with the gold medal, was underscored by its No 2 goalkeeper Unai Aquirre. He was sublime in the Spanish goal with an astonishing 17 saves from 21 shots. Even the second he let through was on double extra and he touched the ball before it crossed. His effort was nothing short of phenomenal.

He was the anchor and Alvaro Granados was at the steering wheel with four consecutive goals as Spain raced to 5-0. Two of those goals were from the penalty line. He threw another at the end for five goals, lifting his Tokyo tally to nine.

While Kazakhstan was becoming more and more frustrated at one, end, Spain snapped up the rebound or blocked pass and countered frequently. Even on extra-man attack, there was no thought of setting up a play. It was more one-two and there’s the goal. Spain was on a mission to improve at every opportunity as it knows it has a huge target on its back.

Spain shifted up a gear in the third quarter and when Blai Mallarach scored at 8-0, it was his 16th Olympic goal in his 288th international. He also played the London and Rio Olympics where Spain finished outside the medals. He already has two World Championship silvers, a World League bronze and two European silvers in his collection. An Olympic gold would be the icing on the cake — a distinct possibility.

Dusan Markovic blasting in from the top on double extra-man attack. Former Serbian Srdjan Vuksanovic, in his ninth international for his adopted country, scored from deep left. The period closed at 11-2 and Vuksanovich was at it again early in the fourth, rising almost to the ceiling on the left post to accept a pass, swivel in midair and drag the ball down into goal. Mikhail Ruday followed up with a scoop from two metres and Kazakhstan had a respectable four goals after a class opponent.

Spain finished with a flourish, five players scoring with Mallarach for a second, Granados for his fifth and Bernat Sanahuja with his third, on extra, 28 seconds from the final buzzer.

Match 16, 11:30, Group B, SPAIN 16 KAZAKHSTAN 4
Quarters: 3-0, 3-0, 5-2, 5-2
Referees: Michael Goldenberg (USA), Dion Willis (RSA).
Shots: ESP: 16/29. KAZ: 4/30.
Extra Man: ESP: 5/8. KAZ: 2/8.
Pens: ESP: 2/2.

 

FLASH QUOTES

Felipe Perrone (ESP — Captain
"Today was easier than the other games, but it’s still an important victory. It’s very important to keep progressing as a team as it’s a long competition and there is a long way to go to our dream. In the last two games our defence has been great and working so hard. This is very important because we like to play a very dynamic swimming game. We like to play (with our body positions) more horizontal than vertical.”

Srdjan Vuksanovich (KAZ) — Two Goals
“We must play better. We can’t score one on one. We don’t score and they score, for sure. Every chance, they score. We must play stronger. Losing 10-15 goals is not a real effort.”

Mikhail Ruday (KAZ) — Scored First Olympic Goal at 33 Years of Age
“The main reason was their goalkeeper was exceptional. They changed their main goalkeeper (Daniel Lopez had the match off). He caught everything. We tried to shoot, but he was phenomenal. We have to improve. We still have to play Montenegro and Australia in a really tough group. I personally think that Spain will get gold here. We are doing our best, but they (other teams in the group) are so strong.”