Kiwi tenacity on show as day three delivers drama at World Championships qualifier
He pānui pāpāho | News release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Day three of the Asia-Oceania Floorball Confederation (AOFC) Qualification for the Men’s World Floorball Championships 2026 delivered a mix of dominant performances and dramatic matches at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Wellington, with another strong turnout of local supporters.
Thailand def. Japan 7–4
10:00am NZT
Day three opened with one of the most anticipated match-ups of the tournament, as Thailand and Japan faced off in a fast-paced and physical contest between two leading contenders.
Thailand opened the scoring just 90 seconds into the match, and moments later the Japanese goalkeeper denied a Thai penalty shot following an injury stoppage to keep the deficit at one. Japan controlled much of the possession through the opening period and were rewarded at 13:35, levelling the score from a well-worked cross-pass. Just 25 seconds later Japan took the lead, before Thailand responded almost immediately to regain momentum.
The opening period finished with end-to-end play and Thailand holding a narrow 3–2 advantage.
The intensity increased in the second period, with several penalties and a stretch of four-on-four play keeping the referees busy. Thailand capitalised late in the frame, with number 81 scoring at 18:27 to extend the lead to 4–2 at the second break.
Japan applied heavy pressure early in the third period and pulled a goal back to make it 4–3. The equaliser followed at 11:37, with Japan’s number 16 scoring from a low drag shot across the goalkeeper. Despite controversy surrounding an injured Thai player in the build-up, the goal stood.
Thailand responded decisively, regaining the lead from a free hit at the 16-minute mark before adding two more goals to seal a 7–4 victory in a high-quality contest.
Japan edges Thailand in opening game of the day
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
Korea def. Hong Kong 31–1
1:00pm NZT
Korea continued their strong form with a commanding win over Hong Kong.
Korea took control early, racing to a 5–0 lead before the midpoint of the first period and extending it to 10–0 by the 14-minute mark. Despite sustained pressure, Hong Kong found a bright moment late in the period, with number 79 scoring their first goal of the tournament. Korea still led comfortably, 12–1, at the first break.
The Koreans dominated the second period, pinning Hong Kong deep in their defensive zone and stretching the margin to 23–1 by the end of the frame.
Korea maintained their intensity in the third, adding eight more goals to complete a 31–1 victory.
18 year-old Hong Kong goalkeeper, Cheuk Yin Mou, who took the MVP on Day 2 for keeping his calm under pressure.
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
Philippines def. China 15–2
4:00pm NZT
The third match of the day saw the Philippines deliver a polished and composed performance against China.
The Chinese side showed noticeable advantages in physique and speed, matching the Filipinos athletically and creating early pressure. However, the Philippines’ greater experience and game management quickly came to the fore, allowing them to control possession and dictate the tempo.
The Filipinos made a fast start on the scoreboard, taking an early lead and continuing to build pressure throughout the opening period to establish a 7–0 advantage.
The second period was more evenly contested, with the Philippines extending their lead to double figures before China struck twice in quick succession to reduce the margin to 10–2. Any momentum was short-lived, however, as the Philippines responded with three unanswered goals to take a 13–2 lead into the final period.
Despite the Chinese applying pressure right till the final whistle blew, the Philippines controlled possession in the third and added two more goals to close out a 15–2 win.
Philippines’ Melvin Mendoza making another attempt at goal.
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
Singapore def. New Zealand 6–4
7:00pm NZT
The final match of the day at 7pm drew the largest and loudest crowd of the tournament so far, as New Zealand took on tournament favourites Singapore.
The Kiwis stunned their opponents early, scoring just 10 seconds after the opening face-off to ignite the home crowd, before adding a second goal a minute later. Singapore responded quickly, but New Zealand continued to feed off the atmosphere, taking a surprise 4–1 lead into the first break.
Singapore regrouped in the second period, tightening their defence and striking back with three unanswered goals, including a breakaway and two one-time finishes, to level the match.
New Zealand began the third period on the power play and controlled possession, but could not find a way through. After killing off the penalty, Singapore scored from a goalmouth scramble to take their first lead of the game.
The pressure intensified late, with New Zealand killing off a delayed penalty during an extended six-on-five stretch. Captain Tim McKibbin came close to equalising with a shorthanded breakaway, while another two-on-one rush ended in a heavy collision in front of goal that left players from both teams injured.
Singapore added an insurance goal at the 12-minute mark to lead 6–4.
Despite a sustained final push from the Kiwis with the goalkeeper pulled, New Zealand were unable to score again, and Singapore held on for a 6–4 victory.
New Zealand’s Oliver Williams and Singapore’s Javier Chua who both debut at this tournament going head to head.
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
