Men’s blind football got underway at the University of Birmingham on Tuesday, August 15, to mark the second day of the IBSA World Games.
Italy and Japan contested an intense first game in the men’s competition with Japan opening the scoring in the first-half as Hirabayashi Taichi dribbled past two players before slotting home cooly from a well-worked free-kick.
Despite Italian frustrations on the bench in the second half, Italy pulled level with Iyobo Paul hitting home from distance to ensure Italy shared the spoils in an evenly-fought 1-1 draw.
Goals were few and far between in the day’s other fixtures. In the men’s blind football, Thailand and Türkiye drew 0-0, Argentina and China also drew 0-0, while England narrowly lost to Germany 1-0.
The day’s women’s blind football saw Japan edge a close encounter with Sweden as an early goal from Takeuchi Mako was enough to secure all three points and continue Japan’s fine start to the IBSA World Games, while a competitive game between England and Morocco finished 0-0.
RESULTS IN FULL – Tuesday 15th August
Women’s blind football
Japan 1-0 Sweden
England 0-0 Morocco
Men’s blind football
Italy 1-1 Japan
Thailand 0-0 Türkiye
England 0-1 Germany
Argentina 0-0 China
See below for a gallery of the day’s action:
