NSWIS goalball trio help Australia stay in Rio hunt

NSWIS trio Jenni Blow, Michele Rzepecki and Tyan Taylor (pictured) have helped Australia remain in the hunt to progress through the pool rounds of the goalball competition at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, despite conceding a goal in the final minute against the Ukraine to draw 2-all on day 3.

The Australians led twice at Rio’s Future Arena, before world number 14 Ukraine returned from a timeout with 17 seconds on the clock and scored the equaliser.

All three NSWIS players were busy against the gutsy Ukrainians, having several shots on goal that were saved or missed the net.

It was Australia’s first draw in a Paralympic tournament. Australia has played in two Paralympic tournaments before Rio and lost every match. The Australians qualified automatically as the host nation in Sydney 2000 and then made the cut for London 2012.

The result leaves Australia with a loss and a draw after half of their four qualifying round matches. They play Turkey on day 4 before meeting Canada early next week and need to win at least one of those games to progress on to the quarter finals.

Australian coach Peter Corr had mixed emotions following the last gasp Ukrainian goal.

“It’s a great result but I was shattered at the time of the final siren,” Corr said.

“They thought we were here making up the numbers but we proved that’s not the case.”

Corr’s enthusiasm can be explained by Australia’s unsettled preparation given the team was a late entry into the event – confirmed less than two weeks ago – after the withdrawal of the Russian team.