The matches on Day Six at the Samsung Champions Trophy Women 2008 have been completed, and we now know which teams will be involved in each of tomorrow’s play-off matches. The gold medal match will be played between Germany and Argentina, who were involved in a scoreless draw today. The result was enough to force The Netherlands – who defeated Australia 2-1 today - into the Bronze Medal match, where they will play a China team fresh from an entertaining 3-3 draw against Japan. Full reports from all of today’s matches are below.
Match 13: Germany 0, Argentina 0
Germany and Argentina played out a 0-0 draw in the first match of Day Six here in Monchengladbach. The result was enough to put both teams into the final of the Samsung Champions Trophy, which takes place tomorrow afternoon.
Germany were arguably the better side during the game, but Argentina had possibly the best chance of the match when Agustina BOUZA went around Germany keeper Yvonne FRANK but could not manage to get a shot on goal.
The two sides finished the round-robin stage of the tournament with identical points and goal difference. However, there can only be one winner of the tournament, so it is expected to be a completely different match tomorrow.
MATCH FACTS
> This is the first time Germany have drawn with Argentina in a major hockey competition (i.e. Champions Trophy, World Cup and Olympic Games).
> Germany have won eight of the previous 12 encounters in major competitions with Argentina. Argentina beat Germany four times.
> Today's match is the first goalless draw in Women's Champions Trophy competition since 9 July 2006, when Australia drew 0-0 with New Zealand.
> In August 2008, Argentina and Germany meet at the Beijing Olympic Games in Pool B.
Match 14 - China 3, Japan 3
China and Japan were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw in the second game of the day in Monchengladbach. Despite China dominating much of the match, it was Japan who took the lead on no less than three separate occasions, but China never kept on pegging their opponents back.
Japan took the lead in the 15th minute, thanks to a penalty stroke from Toshie TSUKUI, but China grabbed an equaliser in the 33rd minute when REN Yi got the final touch in a cross into the circle from the left. Japan made the score 2-1 five minutes after half time when Koari CHIBA scored a field goal, only for China to respond 11 minutes later when ZHOU Wan Feng deflected a penalty corner into the net. CHIBA made the score 3-2 with a diving effort in the 54th minute, before MA Yi Bo finished the scoring with a powerful penalty corner drag flick.
MATCH FACTS:
> Today's match marked the first ever encounter between China and Japan in Champions Trophy history.
> Toshie Tsukui opened the score for Japan through a penalty stroke goal.
> Kaori Chiba (JPN) took the lead in the top scorer table at Mönchengladbach 2008 by lifting he total to four goals.
> Chiba (4 goals) is now the all-time top scorer for Japan in Champions Trophy competition.
> Ma Yi Bo scored China's third goal in today's match from a penalty corner.
> Ma Yi Bo is Champions Trophy top scorer for China with 12 goals, three of which she scored at Mönchengladbach 2008.
> Zhou Wan Feng collected her 150th cap for China.
> Ren Ye scored the first goal for China in today's match.
> Japan's Chie Kimure also reached the milestone of 150 international matches.
> China are now the team with most goals scored (9) and most goals conceded (12) at Mönchengladbach 2008.
> China converted two of 13 penalty corners awarded in this match.
Match 15 - Australia 1, The Netherlands 2
Australia fell to their third defeat of the tournament, losing 2-1 against The Netherlands. The result condemns Australia to the 5th / 6th play-off, while The Netherlands will face China for the Bronze Medal.
The Netherlands opened the scoring through their top scorer Marilyn ALIOTTI, who grabbed her fourth goal of the tournament when she deflected the ball over the head of Australia goalkeeper Rachel IMISON. They made the score 2-0 shortly after half time, thanks to a penalty corner from Eefke MULDER. Australia pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute when Nikki HUDSON set up Megan RIVERS for the easiest of finishes. Australia went in search of an equaliser, but The Netherlands controlled the final stages of the match and proved to be worthy winners in this contest.
MATCH FACTS:
> The Dutch team now take on China in the bronze medal match on Sunday.
> Australia will play Japan in the Final 5-6.
> Today's match was the 19th Champions Trophy encounter between Australia and the Netherlands, a record in Champions Trophy history.
> The Netherlands are now unbeaten in their last four Champions Trophy encounters with Australia (2 win, 2 draws).
> Marilyn Agliotti (NED) and Megan Rivers (AUS) netted their fourth goal, joining Kaori Chiba (JPN) as joint top scorer at Mönchengladbach 2008.
> The Netherlands are the only team yet to concede a penalty corner goal.
For more information about the event, please visit the tournament microsite: http://www.samsungchampionswomen.sportcentric.com/
