POLO AIR INDONESIA, Officials had to drag out the rule book
to decide the real winner between Hungary and Australia in their 9-9 encounter
before deciding Hungary won second place in Group B on a fourth tie-break.
What a match this was — the 100th World Championship match
for each team —with no team being separated in the four quarters. Probably what
did separate the teams was the extra-man-attack situation where Hungary
converted five from seven. The Aussie Sharks managed three from three, only the
second time this tournament that a team has done 100 percent, following China ’s four
from four this morning.
The tiebreak rule states: 1. Points. 2. The result between
the two. 3. The losing goal difference against the group winner, Serbia (3
each). 4. Who scored more goals against Serbia (HUN 10, AUS 9). No need for
the flip of a coin.
Where Hungary
nearly lost the match was not being able to control the firepower and accuracy
of Richie Campbell. His five goals were all immaculate, especially his missiles
from downtown. His fourth goal came off the near post on extra while heavily
defended. That brought up 8-8.
After Marton Vamos appeared to seal the match at 9-8, it was
Campbell who stood up to the plate and unleashed a 10m shot that stunned the
crowd, let alone Hungary — 9-9 at 1:57. Hungary had chances to close the
match, to no effect.
Despite Campbell’s supremacy, he will probably rue the shot
that he missed, the three-on-one attempt that found the left arm of Attila
Decker, who played exceptionally well with 11 saves, many in the first half.
Daniel Varga, back from injury, scored his second goal,
Balasz Harai was dangerous and centre forward with his long arms and legs;
Denes Varga scored from 8m and then with a sweet centre-forward shot for the go
ahead goal at the start of the fourth period.
Some consolation for
