Seul Ki Cheon’s penalty corner game-winning goal in the 65th minute guides Korea to victory and the 2010 World Cup; as host USA finished in second place and Belgium finished in third.
In front of a large crowd in San Diego, California, USA, Korea and host USA played in the final match of the ATAHolding Qualifier, for first and second place; and most importantly, an at-large bid to the 2010 World Cup in Rosario, Argentina. From the opening whistle the match was a hard fought battle between two strong teams. In the first half, Korea held the slight edge in possession and attacking pressure and in the second half it was the USA. The first score came late in the first half off a Jongeun Kim penalty corner goal that put the halftime score at Korea 1, USA nill. In the second half, a penalty corner goal by USA Captain Carrie Lingo tied the match 1-1 in the 43rd minute. After tying the match, host USA carried the momentum and attacking pressure for must of the rest of the half. Seul Ki Cheon’s penalty corner goal in the 65th minute gave Korea the 2-1 lead and also changed the momentum of match. The USA’s Lauren Crandall was awarded a yellow card in the 68th minute. A minute later, Korea’s Kim notched her second goal of the match off a field goal to make the final score Korea 3, USA 1.
Following the final match, a series of tournament awards were handed out. Top scorer: Sofie Gierts (BEL); Player of the tournament: Mihyun Park (KOR); Best goalkeeper: Amy Tran (USA); Best young player: Anna Kozniuk (CAN) and; Fair play trophy: Mexico (team).
The match for the third place was between Belgium and Canada. Belgium was visibly fatigued from their previous match against Korea, but seemed to become more energized as the match went on. For much of the first half, it was Belgium’s offense against Canada’s strong defense. With either side unable to score, it was nill-nill at halftime. In the 36th minute, Emilie Sinia scored the quick field goal to give Belgium a 1-0 lead over Canada. The lead did not last long, however, as Canada’s Diana Roemer tied the match 1-1 in the 39th minute off a penalty corner. Yet, Charlotte De Vos’ back-to-back field goals in the 49th and 61st minutes, respectively, guided Belgium to the 3-1 win over Canada and third place finish in the ATAHolding Qualifier.
The first match on day six of the ATAHolding Qualifier was the fifth and six place qualification match that was played between France and Mexico. Mexico was looking for its first tournament win. France took the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute off an Elise Preney penalty corner goal. The strong play of Mexico’s keeper and Captain Jesús Aide Castillo-Marin prevented France from scoring further in the first half. Mexico’s Margarita Paredes Rodriguez tied the match 1-1 off a field goal in the 34th minute, making the sides tied at halftime. France came out fired up in the second half, as Margaux De Galzain scored a quick penalty corner goal in the 37th minute. A penalty corner goal by France’s Apolline Rogeau in the 64th minute gave France a 3-1 lead and win over Mexico. France finished in fifth place, while Mexico finished in sixth place of the ATAHolding Qualifier.
Korea's victory over host USA solidifies the first of three at-large spots in the 2010 World Cup in Rosario, Argentina 29 August - 11 September 2010. The other two at-large spots will be decided in the BDO World Cup Qualifier in Kazan, Russia 17 April - 24 April and; in the BDO World Cup Qualifier in Santiago, Chile 25 April - 02 May. More information on these tournaments to follow shortly.
