NamibiaSport

Namibia failed to qualify for the 2009 Inline Hockey World Cup when they were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday night.

The draw gave South Africa a 4-3 win on aggregate after they won the first leg in Swakopmund 3-2 on August 26.

After a goalless first quarter, South Africa took the lead in the second quarter. Namibia soon struck back to equalise through a goal by Michael Ellinger after an assist by Oliver Lohmeier.

Namibia had numerous chances to take the lead in the second half but could find no way past South Africa’s goalie who had a great game.

South Africa managed to hold out for the draw which has now ensured that they will play at the 2009 Inline Hockey World Cup as the African qualifiers.

It will be the second year in a row that Namibia fails to qualify for the World Cup. Namibia competed in three consecutive World Cups from 2005 to 2007, before losing their place in the world’s elite competition.

The Namibian team manager Ulrike Rodenwaldt said that despite failing to qualify, the mood was positive and upbeat after the match.

“It was a hard game of very good hockey. Even though we failed to qualify, the players are all positive because they know that they played well.

We will now concentrate on competing at the FIRS (International Roller Skating Federation) World Championships next year in stead of the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) World Championships,” she said.

The two are different bodies which both include inline hockey as a sport.

Namibia competed at the FIRS U19 Championships in Chicago in June this year where they came eighth out of ten nations.

Rodenwaldt said Namibia would also host an international tournament in Swakopmund at the end of the year.

“We will host the Intercontinental Cup in Swakopmund from December 12 to 14. Two national teams from Brazil and a club team from Germany have so far confirmed their participation, while South Africa have also expressed interest in competing,” she said.

“We need to continue participating in regular international competitions, otherwise we will lose our form at the top level,” she said.