On the third day of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 in Delhi, Australia dominated India (5-2) in front of the boisterous local crowd, England won a high scoring game (6-4) against South Africa and Pakistan narrowly edged Spain (2-1).
Game 7 – South Africa v. England: 4-6 (half-time: 2-2)
The two teams opening the third day of competition had very different World Cup experience; England have participated in ten out of eleven previous Cups and reached the final in 1986 while South Africa only had four modest appearances, with a tenth place as best result.
South Africa started well, with Austin SMITH very active in midfield, and pushed back England on their goal. As they did in their first game against Spain, they opened the scoring, this time by Marvin HARPER well positioned in front of the goal after a decisive goal line penetration by Justin REID-ROSS. They could have increased their lead shortly after on a penalty-corner but James FAIR managed a superb diving save to protect the English goal.
England were more successful at the other end in the 14th minute, Richard MANTELL propelling the ball low out of reach of Erasmus PIETERSE to tie the score. Half way through the period, England started to increase the pressure on the South African midfield and grab control of the game, pushing back South Africa on their heels. They took advantage of a green card to Wade PATON to take the lead by Rob MOORE, hammering the ball low after a long solitary dash. Their joy was however short lived as Lloyd NORRIS-JONES managed to trickle the ball in goal from a confused scrum in front of the English keeper.
Second period started on a high tempo, England beginning to display the collective game that helped them win the European Championship. They took the lead after a quick exchange of passes in the circle between Richard MANTELL and Barry MIDDLETON, leaving Ashley JACKSON with the easy task to push the ball over the line in the empty net.
Nick CATLIN increased the lead in the 50th minute and Iain MACKAY added another one a few seconds later, making it hard for a South African team struggling for air to come back in the game. They closed the gap temporarily by Marvin HARPER but Richard MANTELL re-established the comfortable three-goal cushion with his second penalty-corner of the game in the 57th minute.
Thornton McDADE added a late goal but England ran away with a deserve victory (6-4). They showed some good form today and, after their win against Australia on opening day, kept up their hope to join The Netherlands (1990) and Germany (2002) as the only teams winning a World Cup as reigning European Champions.
Match facts (South Africa v. England):
> This is the fifth ever World Cup match to see at least 10 goals being scored and the first since 1998, when Pakistan beat England 7-5.
> Today’s six goals mark the third highest score by England in a World Cup match. England had previously scored 7 goals against Cuba in 2002 (7-0) and six against Ghana in 1975 (6-1).
> Richard Mantell (ENG) added to his three goals from the 2006 World Cup to lift his total to five WC goals, all from penalty corners. Four of these he scored against South Africa.
> England have now converted 4 of 6 penalty corners awarded at Delhi 2010 (66%).
> South Africa lost their second successive game at the 2010 World Cup going down in the second half after a 2-2 half-time score.
> South Africa have now conceded 10 goals in 2 matches at Delhi 2010.
> RSA are still to convert their first penalty corner (4 have been awarded to them).
Game 8 – Pakistan v. Spain: 2-1 (half-time: 1-0)
The second game of the day started at full speed, with both teams pleasing the crowd with fast attacking moves that swept the whole length of the pitch. There were some hot situations in front of Francisco CORTES in the Spanish goal, but the defense managed to clear. After fifteen minutes of furious back and forth attacking, the tempo somewhat abated, both teams neutralizing each other before entering the shooting circle,
Taking advantage of some havoc in the Spanish circle, Pakistan finally scored in the 30th minute by Abdul Haseem KHAN from a difficult angle and with a little help from a Spanish defender who deflected the ball in goal. In sharp contrast with the high scoring first game, these two teams in attacking mood could not generate more goals and the score remain 1-0 at half-time.
Rehan BUTT had a golden opportunity early in second period when he arrived alone on the left of the circle but his shot rolled in front of the goal. Spain had a chance on penalty-corner well defended by Pakistan and the two teams continued to neutralize each other in an entertaining display of attacking hockey.
Spain finally scored on their 5th penalty-corner of the game in the 65th minute, their broken option ending in a wild scrum in front of a stranded Salman AKBAR and David ALEGRE managed to push the ball in the net. Pakistan replied immediately and forced a penalty-corner, Abdul Haseem KHAN deflecting in goal the initial shot by Sohail ABBAS. The Pakistani, supported by the roaring crowd, hanged on for dear life and seemed relieved to see the end of the game with the three points of the win.
Match facts (Pakistan v. Spain):
> Pakistan beat Spain 2-1 to collect their first victory at Delhi 2010 and their 8th win over Spain in WC competition.
> Pakistan have are now unbeaten in their last 3 competitive matches against Spain. They also beat Spain at the 2007 CT (2-0) and drew 2-2 at the 2002 World Cup.
> Abdul Haseem Khan scored twice to lead Pakistan to victory. The last player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match for Pakistan was Muhammad Zubair vs NZL in 2006 (20 goals.)
> David Alegre scored the equaliser. He also scored for Spain in the match against South Africa.
> Both Spain and Pakistan are now on 3 points from 2 matches at the 2010 World Cup.
Game 9 – India v. Australia: 2-5 (half-time: 1-3)
The last game of the day started in a fiery atmosphere but the Aussies were not impressed by the deafening noise and the crowd was quickly silenced by a quick goal by Liam DE YOUNG calmly collecting a rebound from a shot on the crossbar. They extended their lead a few minutes later on a penalty-corner, Glenn TURNER pushing over the line a shot originally stopped by the Indian defense.
Each Indian attack was pushed on by loud cheering from the hopeful crowd and Prabhjot SINGH and Gurwinder Singh CHANDI created some hot situations in the Australian circle, but Nathan BURGERS and his defense thwarted all their attempts. The Australians were closing very quickly on the Indian players to prevent them from developing their game and they defended well the first penalty-corner with an option for Sandeep SINGH. Australia deepened the gap in the 26th minute by Desmond ABBOTT, at the conclusion of a quick exchange of passes in the circle between Liam DE YOUNG and Robert HAMMOND that mystified the Indian defenders.
India finally scored by Vikram PILLAY in the dying seconds of the period to muster some hope for the second half. Immediately after the restart, Prabhjot SINGH set up Tushar KHANDKER but his instant reverse stick shot went wide. On the counter-attack, Australia earned a penalty-corner that was shot low by Luke DOERNER to re-establish the three-goal lead.
It dampened the Indian enthusiasm and Glenn TURNER immediately scored another goal to increase the lead to a seemingly insurmountable gap. Rajpal SINGH gave back some hope to the crowd after a long and intense sequence in the Australian circle orchestrated by Arjun HALAPPA, very active today, but the Indians were wasting energy in their traditional long individual runs and could rarely penetrate the compactly organized and disciplined Australian defense.
Adrian D'SOUZA received a huge ovation when he saved a penalty-stroke from Jamie DWYER, but Australia controlled the end of the game to collect the three points of the win in a spectacular game that pleased the hockey lovers, if not the Indian fans.
Match Facts (India v. Australia):
> India went down 5-2 and suffered their fifth straight defeat against Australia in World Cup competition.
> Liam De Young, Glenn Turner (2) and Dess Abbott all scored for the first time in World Cup competition.
> Luke Doerner scored once to add to his two goals from the 2006 World Cup.
> Vikram Pillay became the first India player since Prabhjot Singh in 2002 to score in a World Cup match against Australia.
> Rajpal Singh scored his third World Cup goal, adding to his goals in 2006 vs ARG and RSA.
> England lead Pool B with six points from two matches. Australia, Spain, India and Pakistan are all on three points. South Africa are botton, still awaiting their first point at this World Cup.
The Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 continues on Wednesday in Delhi when Canada face Germany, Argentina meet Korea and New Zealand conclude the day against The Netherlands.
For additional information, pictures, video clips, official game sheets, and more, please check the special FIH event site @ http://www.worldhockey.org/worldcup/.
Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 (men) – Delhi, India
Results Day 3 - Tuesday 2 March 2010
South Africa v. England 4:6 (2:2)
RSA 9mn Marvin HARPER (FG) 1:0
ENG 14mn Richard MANTELL (PC) 1:1
ENG 23mn Rob MOORE (FG) 1:2
RSA 25mn Lloyd NORRIS-JONES (FG) 2:2
ENG 43mn Ashley JACKSON (FG) 2:3
ENG 50mn Nick CATLIN (FG) 2:4
ENG 51mn Iain MACKAY (FG) 2:5
RSA 53mn Marvin HARPER (FG) 3:5
ENG 57mn Richard MANTELL (PC) 3:6
RSA 67mn Thornton McDADE (FG) 4:6
Pakistan v. Spain 2:1 (1:0)
PAK 30mn Abdul Haseem KHAN (FG) 1:0
ESP 65mn David ALEGRE (PC) 1:1
PAK 67mn Abdul Haseem KHAN (PC) 2:1
India v. Australia 2:5 (1:3)
AUS 2mn Liam DE YOUNG (FG) 0:1
AUS 7mn Glenn TURNER (PC) 0:2
AUS 26mn Desmond ABBOTT (FG) 0:3
IND 35mn Vikram PILLAY (FG) 1:3
AUS 42mn Luke DOERNER (PC) 1:4
AUS 43mn Glenn TURNER (PC) 1:5
IND 53mn Rajpal SINGH (FG) 2:5
Pool Standings:
Pool A: 1) Netherlands 3 pts (+3) 2) New Zealand 3 pts (+1) 3) Germany and Korea 1 pt 5) Canada 0 pt (-1) 6) Argentina 0 pt (-3)
Pool B: 1) England 6 pts 2) Australia 3 pts (+2) 3) Spain 3 pts (+1) 4) India 3 pts (0) 5) Pakistan 3 pts (-2) 6) South Africa 0 pt
