For the second time in a row at the World Cup, the goalkeeper of the national team team Martin Kudela faced the American team. Two years ago, he scored ten goals in the first two thirds, at this year’s tournament, which is again hosted by Ostrava, he allowed professionals from overseas only four goals. He stopped the remaining 47 shots. “This will be a great encouragement for the whole team, we did not play such a good result with the Americans for a long time,” explained a native of Horní Lhota near Ostrava after the 0: 4 defeat. After the match, his performance was also appreciated by his opponents. “They shook their heads at everything I caught. I think they can also be satisfied that they hit at least a few times, “laughed the 23-year-old goalkeeper of the SHK Pardubice team.
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Czech goalkeeper Martin Kudela flashed several times against the Americans with a lightning-fast catcher.
Petr Kotala / parahockey.cz
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Is a 0: 4 defeat with world champions valuable, or is it just a defeat?
It’s a loss with honor and a great encouragement for the whole team. We haven’t played such a good result with the Americans for a long time.
The Americans have fired over fifty missiles at you. How did you get caught?
Well, when I look at myself, I say – wet (he showed a sweaty jersey – author’s note). I can’t complain about the lack of bullets.
Did you feel it could be your day?
Not at all. It was like before every match. I’m used to that. Two years ago, I would have been nervous, but not now. I was already calm. I didn’t catch the Americans for the first time. In 2019 also here in Ostrava and at some other tournaments. I’m used to their pace. I prepared myself accordingly, but I would be lying if I said I was not sweating.
At the beginning of the match, the Czech goalkeeper Martin Kudela caught a penalty shot for the USA striker Joshi Hargis.
Petr Kotala / parahockey.cz
In the second minute, you successfully faced a penalty shot by Josh Hargis. Did he kick you?
Of course, it helped me a lot, because this will really please me. They can’t catch him every time. Yes today and it helped me.
Was it the hardest moment of the match?
To put it bluntly, it wasn’t the hardest moment. He didn’t pull out an extra bluff that I didn’t know.
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Czech paratroopers during the World Cup match in Ostrava against the USA.
Vladimir Prycek, ČTK
You stopped a lot of pucks with a quick catch. Is this your strength?
For Parahokeji goalkeepers, that’s all we can do. We are not exactly tall, we have a lot of space under the stick, when there is no fast catcher, it is wrong.
Did you read any goals?
Haven’t I read anything you want at such a pace? As time went on, we became more and more tired and made mistakes. I expected to get goals sooner. Keeping twenty minutes zero against the Americans is a hell of a great success.
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Fans at the World Championships in Parahokeji in Ostrava.
Vladimir Prycek, ČTK
In 2019, you got ten goals from the Americans, did you learn from that match?
Two years ago, it was 2:10 after the second third. We’ve been holding them now, and I’m fucking smacking in front of the boys from America, as they appreciated me. They shook their heads at everything I caught. I think they can be satisfied that they hit at least a few times. (laughter)
Was that your best performance in the national team?
Probably one of the most successful matches of my career.
On Tuesday, you will end the group part with a match against Canada, with which you lost twice in preparation. What will it be like?
We’ll see how ready they are. I think they have two injured players now, although it probably won’t play a big role for them. Maybe the match will be as good as against the USA.
| Parahokeji World Championships in Ostrava: |
| Group A: |
| USA – Czech Republic 4: 0 (0:0, 2:0, 2:0) |
| Goals: 20th and 34th Wallace, 21st Roybal, 44th Douglas. |
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