Korea comes back for 2-2 draw with host USA

(Photo: © FIH / Alex Masters)

Day four of the ATAHolding World Cup Qualifier in San Diego, California, USA ended with a match between Korea and host USA, battling for the top spot in the standings. Under the gaze of FIH President Leandro Negre, however, neither team fully solidified that top spot. Negre visited the ATAHolding Qualifier on Wednesday 31^st March and also watched Belgium and Canada come away with their respective victories.

In the Korea-USA match, Korea bounced back from a one goal halftime deficit to come to a 2-2 draw with the USA. The USA took the early lead in the 11^th minute due to a drag flick off a penalty corner by Claire Laubach. Five minutes later, the USA repeated that penalty corner play and had a two goal advantage over Korea. Yet, Korea’s Darae Kim put Korea within one of the USA off a field goal in the 32^nd minute. In the second half, Korea had more possession of the ball and Kim had her second goal in the 62^nd minute. With both teams unable to score again, the match resulted in the 2-2 draw.

Under cloudy, windy, skies day four of the ATAHolding World Cup Qualifier began with a match between France and Belgium; with France still looking for its first tournament win. A penalty corner goal by Anne-Sophie Van Regemortel in the 8^th minute gave Belgium the early 1-0 lead over France; that would remain until halftime. After the half, Belgium went on a scoring barrage, which might have been higher if not for the solid play of France’s defense; including keeper Anabelle Got, Elise Preney and Juliette Hevin. Anouk Raes’ field goal in the 39^th minute was followed up, four minutes later, by a Sofie Gierts penalty stroke; and then goals by De Vos and Coppey, respectively to give Belgium a five goal lead over France. In the 67^th minute, Gierts gave Belgium their 6-0 lead (which stood as the final score) when she scored her fifth goal of the ATAHolding Qualifier.

Mexico and Canada played in the second match on day four of the ATAHolding World Cup Qualifier. Like Belgium, Canada also took an early lead against its opponent; that came from a Robyn Pendleton field goal in the 7^th minute. Seven minutes later, however, Mexico countered. The field goal by Mexico’s Francisca Adriana Figueroa Valdez not only tied the match, but was Mexico’s first goal in the ATAHolding Qualifier; and it meant that after the first ten matches of the ATAHolding Qualifier, there would be a match where both sides scored goals in the match!

Canada went into halftime ahead 2-1 from a Stephanie Jameson penalty corner goal. In the second half of the match, Mexico tried to keep up their attack, but the momentum of the match was in Canada’s favor. Canada won the match 4-1 over Mexico.

Play in the ATAHolding Qualifier proceeds tomorrow, Thursday 1^st April. Both France and Mexico will look for their first tournament win when they play each other in the opening match. A match between Belgium (currently in third place) and Korea follows; with host USA and Canada playing the last match on day five of the ATAHolding Qualifier.

Only the winner of this event will earn a spot for the BDO FIH World Cup, to be played in Rosario, Argentina early September 2010.

Please click here for direct access to the micro site of the AtaHolding World Cup Qualifier.