Chicola’s last-gasp goal gives Angola 24-23 win over Qatar

Claudio Chicola’s last-second goal – a 92km/hour thunderbolt – helped Angola clinch a thrilling 24-23 win over Qatar in their Group D opener in the Men’s World Championship at Copenhagen Royal Arena yesterday.

There was precious little to choose from between the teams but in the end Qatar paid the penalty for cutting it too close this time as the unfancied Angolans capitalised on a fast-break to nail the winner from the right flank.

The second half was a torrid affair with both teams neck and neck and not allowing any space for the other to play with.

Angola had led 12-8 after the first half, staying ahead all the time and making their intentions clear.

Qatar, however, had a reputation of making strong comebacks, and sure enough they upped the ante in the second session.

Finding a nice rhythm, they clawed back into the game to level the scores at 17-all in the 45th minute, courtesy of a six-metre goal from Youssef Ali.

But less than three seconds later, Gabriel Teco restored Angola’s lead with a 6-metre goal from the centre and then Edvaldo Ferreira nailed a penalty to give the Africans a two goal cushion (19-17).

The back-and-forth continued for 10 minutes during which the teams tied scores several times, but a fast-break goal from Alledine Berrached helped Qatar go ahead for the first time (23-22).

With less than five seconds to go, however, Rome Hebo slid the ball in from nine metres to equalise before Chicola came up with the winner to leave Qatar stunned.

Qatar’s next match is against Egypt tomorrow.