Squash
New Zealander Paul Coll is holding his head high after finishing as runner up at the Squash World Championships.
The 27-year-old from Greymouth was beaten 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 by Egyptian world number three Tarek Momen.
For Coll making the final was a great achievement, even though he wanted more.
“It was tough right from the world go. Tarek wasn’t missing and making me do a lot of work. It was taking its toll right from the first rally because he was playing so accurate right from the start. I’m a little bit disappointed on tonight, but credit to Tarek he really delivered on the big stage tonight….I’m very proud of reaching my first championship final.”
Despite the majority of the crowd being behind Momen, the Kiwi was still thrilled by the support he had received from Doha and New Zealand.
“Massive support from back home waking up in the early hours of the morning. I really felt it all week and love all you guys….thank you very much. Very proud of my country and if I can put them on the map in any way I’m very proud of it. And to bring the country back to a world stage…I’m very proud of that.”
Basketball
The Tall Ferns recorded one of the most notable victories in New Zealand women’s international basketball history, but the margin of victory wasn’t enough to carry the Kiwis to the next stage of Olympic qualification.
In an enthralling contest, played in front of an enthusiastic and vociferous crowd at Trusts Arena, the Tall Ferns beat Korea 69-65.
The day began with China overwhelming the Philippines 127-49 meaning that New Zealand, China and Korea each had two wins from three games at the Qualifying Tournament.
With points differential deciding the final placings, it was China (+22) and Korea (-3) that pipped New Zealand (-19) to book their places at the next Olympic Qualifying Tournament in February.
Tall Ferns Head Coach Guy Molloy admitted to having mixed emotions after the game.
“It’s certainly a bitter-sweet feeling. We came here and got the job done that we wanted to do winning two games – I guess I’ll blame China (who surprisingly lost to Korea on the opening day of the tournament).
“Funny things can happen in tournaments, Korea had an amazing win against China so we had a big ask today, but I couldn’t be any more proud of the team.”
Diving
New Zealand diver Anton Down-Jenkins has placed fourth in the men’s 3m Springboard event at the FINA Diving Grand Prix, held in Kuala Lumpur.
Liam Stone also made it through to the semi-finals where he placed fourth to miss out on progressing to the final.
10 New Zealand divers competed at the event.
Equestrian
The Kiwis have just dipped out on the podium at the Australian International 3 Day Eventing Championships in Adelaide.
Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding placed fourth in the CCI5*-L on 48.1 penalty points.
Pottinger, who was second last year, admitted to a little disappointment at having three rails and time penalties in the showjumping – however, no one was clear and inside time in the final test.
“The good thing was this year he came out feeling a lot better than last year,” she said.
“Today he felt he was capable of jumping a clear round – even if we didn’t.”
Meanwhile some of the world’s best equestrians are in the City of Sails this week for the second biennial EQUITANA Auckland.
EQUITANA features global superstars in eventing, show jumping, dressage and natural horsemanship, the most comprehensive equine education programme in New Zealand and all your favorite brands under one roof.
Top-billing at the four-day event that kicks off on Thursday (November 21) is global great Sir Mark Todd who in July of this year announced his retirement from international eventing.
Above: Amanda Pottinger competing
Football
The All Whites have been beaten 1-0 by Lithuania in their football friendly in Vilnuis.
The New Zealand men's football team had very few scoring opportunities with the home side finding the back of the net in the first half.
It was just the second outing in charge for Danny Hay, who had made clear before the two-match tour that the outcome of either game was of little relevance.
Hay stuck to his pre-determined intention to make eleven changes from the Ireland game, which the All Whites lost 3-1 in Dublin on Friday.
"There were aspects of today's performance that were positive, I thought Marco Rojas at times really showed his quality and Bill Tuiloma was outstanding as well. The whole idea was to give everybody a really good opportunity and see whether they were a good fit in terms of character and mentality, ability on the pitch and the way we want to play," he added.
"I think we'll come out of this with a very clear idea of how to move forward."
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