Rivalries, records and a thrilling draw highlight Day Four of World Championships qualifier
Day four of the Asia-Oceania Floorball Confederation (AOFC) Qualification for the Men’s World Floorball Championships 2026 delivered another full day of compelling action at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Wellington, with dominant performances, attacking flair and a dramatic draw played out in front of an engaged local crowd.
Japan def. Korea 10–3
10:00am NZT
Day four opened with a clash between regional rivals Korea and Japan, with Japan producing a composed and clinical performance built on sharp passing and control of possession.
Japan dictated the tempo from the outset, steadily building pressure and capitalising on their opportunities to race to a 5–0 lead by the end of the opening period.
Korea found some momentum early in the second period, converting on the power play to reduce the deficit to 5–1. Japan responded swiftly, restoring their dominance with two goals in quick succession, including one at 17:30. A holding penalty against Korea late in the period proved costly, as Japan struck on the power play before adding another goal just 30 seconds later to take a commanding 9–1 lead into the second break.
Korea again started strongly in the third period, scoring three minutes in to make it 9–2. Japan immediately answered, extending the lead to 10–2. Late in the match, a rare lapse in discipline from Japan saw two players sent to the penalty box at 17:35, handing Korea a five-on-three advantage. Korea capitalised with a well-executed one-time shot to narrow the margin to 10–3.
Japan closed out the remaining minutes with composure, securing a comfortable 10–3 victory to open the day’s play.
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
Australia def. Hong Kong, China 24–0
1:00pm NZT
The second match of the day saw Australia hit their stride, producing a dominant offensive display against a young but determined Hong Kong, China.
Hong Kong, China showed resilience early, holding Australia to four goals in the first half of the opening period, but the Australians surged late, adding five more to take a 9–0 lead after one period.
A penalty to Hong Kong, China, at the end of the first period saw Australia reach double figures just one minute into the second frame. Hong Kong’s defence tightened thereafter, limiting Australia to four additional goals for the remainder of the period, with the scoreline reading 15–0 at the second break.
Australia showed no signs of easing in the third period, adding nine more goals, including a final strike with just one second remaining on the clock, to underline a comprehensive 24–0 victory.
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
Singapore drew with Philippines 7–7
4:00pm NZT
The highly anticipated showdown between undefeated sides Singapore and the Philippines lived up to expectations, delivering a fast-paced, physical and high-scoring contest.
Singapore struck first inside the opening minute, but the Philippines responded just 19 seconds later to level the score at 1–1. With a player from each team penalised and play reduced to four-on-four, Singapore regained the lead at 2–1. The Filipinos equalised late in the period at 14:36, before Singapore finished strongly, scoring twice in the final three minutes to take a 4–2 lead into the break.
Singapore extended their advantage early in the second period, with a drag shot goal just 36 seconds in making it 5–2. The Philippines answered with a drag shot of their own at 10:55, before Singapore restored a three-goal cushion at 11:53 after sustained pressure. The Philippines struck back again just a minute later with a powerful shot to the top corner, narrowing the score to 6–4.
The Filipinos poured on pressure late in the period and were rewarded with a goal on the buzzer, reducing the deficit to 6–5 heading into the final period.
Tight defence and strong goaltending defined the early stages of the third period until the Philippines equalised at 6–6 with a backhand finish. Both teams traded chances before the Philippines took their first lead of the match with five minutes remaining. Singapore responded with urgency and were rewarded with 90 seconds left, capitalising on a rare defensive error to level the score once more.
After a frenetic final minute, the match ended in a thrilling 7–7 draw.
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
China def. Solomon Islands 7–4
7:00pm NZT
With hosts New Zealand on a rest day, local supporters turned out in force to back their Pacific Island neighbours, as the Solomon Islands took on a fast and skillful Chinese side in the evening match.
China made an early statement, building a 2–0 lead inside the opening eight minutes. The crowd erupted at 12:13 when the Solomon Islands pulled one back, narrowing the score to 2–1. China restored their two-goal advantage late in the period with a power play goal following a pushing penalty, taking a 3–1 lead into the first break.
Another Solomon Islands infraction early in the second period proved costly, with China again scoring on the power play to make it 4–1. The Islanders were rewarded for their energy at 39:22, as number 16 finished a well-taken one-time shot to bring the score to 4–2 and spark another spirited celebration.
China came out strongly in the third period, scoring twice in the opening five minutes to extend the lead to 6–2, with penalties continuing to trouble the Solomon Islands. Undeterred, the Islanders struck again at 48:19 to make it 6–3, though an over-enthusiastic celebration resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
China capitalised with another power play goal to go up 7–3 with five and a half minutes remaining, before the Solomon Islands responded just 30 seconds later with their fourth goal. Despite a determined late push, the Islanders were unable to close the gap further, with China securing a 7–4 win in a match that earned both teams warm applause from the Wellington crowd.
Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa
