(Photo: © Philippe Demaret)
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Unpredictability was the theme on day four of the Rabo Hockey Junior World Cup as three of the Pool leaders stumbled to open up the competition to the chasing teams.
Previously unbeaten, India, Australia and Argentina suffered to differing degrees. India lost to an impressive Spain while Australia and Argentina were held to draws by Malaysia and Belgium respectively.
The only Pool leader to survive the day was Korea, but not before they battled to overcome Egypt.
India’s defeat dropped the defending Junior World Cup champions from first to fourth in Pool E due to their inferior goal difference compared to Spain and Netherlands, who both boosted their for and against tally by four goals.
Spain’s 4-0 of disposal of India was clinical as the tournament’s top seeds capitalised on their opportunities and defended brilliantly. After looking so good against Netherlands yesterday, India couldn’t find a way through the Spanish wall of defenders and are now in a four-way battle for two semi final spots.
In other Pool E matches, Netherlands raced back into semi final calculations after slotting three goals in the final 14 minutes after the match was evenly poised just after half time. Their late-match goal spree elevated the Dutch into second position in their Pool.
Pool F was throw wide open after leaders Argentina and Australia were held by teams at the bottom of their Pool.
In the first match on Pitch 1, Australia were guilty of carelessness, especially coming out of defence. Too many times the ball found the stick of a Malaysian opponent, creating unnecessary pressure on their deep defenders.
The irresistible form of Zulkifli Mohd Rejab continued today with the penalty corner ace netting all of Malaysia’s goals to complement a quartet yesterday against Germany.
With today’s results, Malaysia are highly unlikely to advance unless miracle results fall their way for the remainder of the second Pool stage. However on their form in the previous two days, they are a major threat to the teams hoping to make the semi final stage.
Germany continued quietly along with a 2-0 defeat of Pakistan, a win that - given the results later in the day – puts them just one point behind the two Pool leaders with two matches remaining.
Pakistan now sit four points behind Australia and Argentina and three behind Germany, making their Junior World Cup drerams extremely difficult to fulfill.
In the final Pool F match on day four, Argentina dominated most of the play but couldn’t find a way through some determined Belgium defence.
In Pool G to decide the 13-16 classifications, South Africa were finally rewarded for some unlucky performances with eight second half goals to easily see off Mexico 9-0. South Africa lead Pool G and a continuation of today’s form will see them finish in 13th place at tournament’s end.
In the Pool’s other match, Poland defeated Chile to also record their first win of the tournament.
Sunday’s Results
Pool E
Spain 4 defeated India 0
Goals: ESP – David Alegre PS 4m FG 45m, Sergio Enrique PC 29m, Juan Lainz FG 57m
Korea 4 defeated Egypt 2
Goals: KOR – Jong Hyun Jang PC 25m PC 35m PC 46m, Sung Kweon Hong FG 56m; EGY – Mohamed Hussein PC 21m FG 39m
Netherlands 5 defeated England 1
Goals: NED – Nick Meijer FG 8m, Olmer Meijer PC 27m, Rogier Hofman FG 56m FG 64m, Teun Rohof FG 68m; ENG – Richard Lane FG 45m
Pool F
Germany 2 defeated Pakistan 0
Goals: GER – Thilo Stralkowski FG 26m, Sebastian Draguhn PC 55m
Australia 3 drew Malaysia 3
Goals: AUS – Colin Hennessy FG 27m, Mark Knowles FG 58m, Tom Cleghorn FG 61m; MAS – Zulkifli Mohd Rejab PC 9m PC 45m PC 63m
Argentina 0drew Belgium 0
Pool G
South Africa 9 defeated Mexico 0
Goals: RSA – Justin Reid-Ross PC 7m PC 37m, Lungile Tsolekile FG 41m, Wayne Madsen FG 45m, Austin Smith PC 49m PC 52m, Leroy Phillips FG 64m FG 70m, Craig Haley FG 66m
Poland 4 defeated Chile 1
Goals: POL – Maciej Walkowiak FG 11m, Piotr Rozek FG 27m, Mateusz Czaplinski FG 32m, Karol Szyplik PC 58m; CHI – Diego Villaseca FG 60m
