FORT WAYNE, Ind. - China's national women's goalball team capitalized on a fast start Tuesday to beat the United States in the Gold Medal Match at the 2019 IBSA Goalball International Qualifier. China won 5-3.
China scored first, a minute and a half in, setting a pace that left Team USA trying to catch up most of the game. The Americans tied the match at 2 just before halftime; but China responded with 3 straight goals in the 2nd half.
Team USA was able to put one more ball in the back of the net late in the contest.
The United States was awarded the Silver Medals. While Israel took Bronze. By virtue of their finish, China, the USA and Israel qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games next summer.
In the men's goalball tournament, Lithuania beat Turkey for the Gold Medal. China won the Bronze. The United States, which won Silver at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, finished 5th. The American men will have other opportunities to qualify for the Tokyo Games.