Both girls’ medal matches were decided in extra-time. Netherlands beat Argentina 2-1 and won Gold. New Zealand defeated Korea 5-4 and took the Bronze. Ireland won the 5th place playoff against South Africa 3-1.
The boys’ classification matches are held on Wednesday 25 August.
Youth Olympic Gold Medal goes to the Netherlands
Lieke van WIJK’s Golden Goal gave the Dutch girls the Youth Olympic Gold Medal.
More than 800 spectators came into the Seng Kang Hockey Stadium to watch the Girls’ Gold Medal Match on Tuesday night between Netherlands and Argentina.
The pool match between Argentina and Netherlands was drawn 2-2.
The Dutch girls had the better opportunities at the beginning of the first half. Macey de RUITER could have taken the lead in the 3rd minute when she received a pass from Liselotte van MENS at the far post but her shot went wide. Two minutes later Frederique DERKX’s penalty corner flick was blocked by an Argentine runner. The young Las Leonas won their first penalty corner in the middle of the second half but they couldn’t get the shot underway either. Their second penalty corner was successful when Agustina ALBERTARRIO converted the third attempt after the Dutch goalkeeper Saskia van DUIVENBODEN has saved twice.
The Dutch girls started off well into the second half. After Mathilde HOTTING was tackled in the circle they won their second penalty corner in this match but DERKX’s flick was blocked again. Their third penalty corner was a variation with Lieke van WIJK and Roos BROEK but BROEK’s deflection missed the goal by centimetres. However the fourth penalty corner brought the deserved equaliser when van WIJK’s drag-flick found its way into the net. After the score was tied the loudly cheering crowd did not see any action in the circles as both teams concentrated on defending. The spectators had to wait up to the 64th minute until Argentina won a penalty corner but the stop went completely wrong. Argentina was close to scoring in the 69th minute when Lisa SCHEERLINCK and Marloes KEETELS were sent back to the centre for breaking early. Although the Netherlands had only two defenders left Argentina’s variation failed and the ball went over the base-line.
The Golden Goal was scored at the end of the 1st extra-time. Lieke van WIJK converted a penalty corner won in the 78th minute. The clock was run down, all Dutch girls lined-up at the circle, van WIJK flicked and the ball was in the net!
Argentina v Netherlands 1-2 (1-1, 1-0)
1-0 24' Agustina ALBERTARRIO (PC)
1-1 47’ Lieke van WIJK (PC)
1-2 78’ Lieke van WIJK (PC)
New Zealand take Youth Olympic Bronze Medal after Golden Goal
The young Black Sticks defeated Korea 5-4 in the girls’ Bronze Medal Match. Korea came back after being 1-4 down and tied the score to 4-4 in the 69th minute. Kiwi Rhiannon DENNISON scored three goals making her new top scorer in this tournament.
New Zealand won the round-robin match 3-2 after Korea had given away a 2-0 lead. Korea started off with great pace and wanted something quick. In the second minute they won a penalty which failed but shortly afterwards PARK Eunjung received a pass near the circle-line and defeated Kiwi goalkeeper Sarah METTHEWS in a one-on-one. PARK was sent off with a yellow card due to a stick tackle in the 10th minute. While team Korea was short in numbers the young Black Sticks scored twice. Rhiannon DENNISON equalised with a penalty corner goal and only three minutes it was DENNISON again who scored. She combined well with Jamie BOLTON and deflected her shot into the net. Korean goalkeeper OH Yeeseul who replaced HONG Mira after the equaliser had no chance. New Zealand extended their lead in the 25th minute when Kate McCAW flicked the ball over OH’s head into the goal. In the 28th minute Korean coach JEON Hong Kwon let his goalkeepers swop again.
Korea missed to strike back when two penalty corners failed at the beginning of the second half. DENNISON made a hat-trick in the 47th minute when she smashed the rebound of Amy BARRY’s shot into the net. The young Black Stick is also new tournament top scorer having scored seven goals in total. KANG Jina's 4-2 brought hopes back to Korea when she touched a ball coming from outside the circle while four New Zealand defenders did not seem to pay attention. Afterwards a penalty corner shot from KIM Sol was saved by a Black Stick defender’s foot on the goal-line and umpire Hannah SANDERS awarded a penalty stroke to Korea. This was successfully taken by NAM So Ri. Team Korea was back into the game and went for the equaliser. Team-captain KANG Jina tied the score to 4-4 in the 69th minute when her deflected shot hit a New Zealand defender’s head and the ball went over the goal-line.
The extra-time lasted only for 142 seconds. Then Michaela CURTIS scored the golden goal after umpire SANDERS gave a great advantage.
New Zealand v Korea 5-4 (4-4, 3-1)
0-1 6' PARK Eunjung (FG)
1-1 15' Rhiannon DENNISON (PC)
2-1 17' Rhiannon DENNISON (FG)
3-1 25' Kate McCAW (FG)
4-1 47’ Rhiannon DENNISON (FG)
4-2 58' KANG Jina (FG)
4-3 63' NAM So Ri (PS)
4-4 69' KANG Jina (FG)
5-4 73' Michaela CURTIS (FG)
3-1 victory over South Africa secures Ireland’s fifth place
The Irish girls defeated South Africa in Wednesday’s 5th place playoff. Team South Africa has lost the sixth match in a row and finishes last. The round-robin match between Ireland and South Africa had ended 1-0.
Ireland started off very well and took the lead in the 5th minute when Kathryn MULLAN benefitted from the great work done by her team-mate Leah EWART. She brought the ball into the circle and passed it to the unmarked MULLAN who scored. South Africa became dangerous with two penalty corners but Keisha ARNOLDS and Quanita BOBBS were denied. MULLAN doubled the Irish lead out of open play in the 15th minute.
South Africa became stronger after Jacinta JUBB cut the lead in half. This was South Africa’s second goal in this tournament; their first one was also scored by JUBB in the match versus Korea. They won two more penalty corners but both shots were saved by the Irish goalkeeper Jenna HOLMES. The crowd did not see much action in the circles in the second half. It took up to the 56th minute until Ireland scored again. Katherine MORRIS won a penalty corner and MULLAN took the shot which was saved by the South African goalkeeper Phumelela MBANDE. The rebound landed in front of team-captain EWART who did not hesitate and smashed the ball into the goal.
Both teams went on a lap of honour after the match and the spectators cheered.
Ireland v South Africa 3-1 (2-1)
1-0 5' Kathryn MULLAN (FG)
2-0 15' Kathryn MULLAN (FG)
2-1 21' Jacinta JUBB (FG)
3-1 56’ Leah EWART (PC)
The FIH tournament micro site http://www.worldhockey.org/yog/ will be bringing you extensive coverage of all the action from the first Youth Olympic Games. The site will provide all official information and news from the tournament, keeping you fully up-to-date with the latest scores and league tables. The site will also include written match previews and reports, action photos, video interviews and much more. Photos of the opening ceremony are provided as well.
