🏒 The host team from the Chinese mainland wrapped up the 2025 Chengdu World Games with a heartbreaker, falling 5-4 to Argentina on Monday. It was the eighth straight defeat in this eight-team inline hockey showdown.
Coming into the placement match, neither side had tasted victory. The Chinese mainland got off to a flying start: Zhuang Haojie flicked the puck to Liu Chaoyi for the opener (6th minute), then Li Zhihao doubled the lead just four minutes later. 🚀
But Argentina fought back before the break. Hernan Insua set up Rodrigo Irisarri to pull one back, then Insua himself leveled the score thanks to a slick feed from Owen Haiek. Talk about a halftime cliffhanger! 😱
Early in the second half, Zhuang struck again for the hosts, only for Haiek to tie it up once more. Chen Xingnan briefly put the Chinese mainland back ahead, but Haiek's third equalizer kept Argentina alive. With just 12 seconds left, Haiek set up Irisarri for the winnerArgentina's first win in Chengdu, earning seventh place. 🎉
Though finishing eighth isn't what the hosts dreamed of, the Chinese mainland squad showed grit and moments of brilliance. As the curtain falls, fans can't wait to see how this team bounces back on the global stage! 🌏🔥
Reference(s):
Hosts China finish eighth in inline hockey at Chengdu World Games
cgtn.com
