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It was another outstanding day of action in the BDO FIH Hockey World Cup in Rosario, Argentina, as Pool B witnessed victories for England, South Africa and Argentina as well as a candidate for the goal of the tournament.
England's Hannah MACLEOD scored in the very first minute to give England a 1-0 win over China, before a moment of individual brilliance from Sulette DAMONS gave South Africa their first World Cup win since 2002. The final match of the day saw Argentina overcome a strong challenge from Korea, with Carla REBECCHI netting the only goal of the game to delight the home crowd. Full details of the matches can be found below. For more information about all of the action at the world cup, please visit the FIH tournament microsite: www.bdofihworldcup2010.sportcentric.com/
England claim second victory with defeat of China
Hannah MACLEOD's early goal proved to be the difference as England made it two wins out of two by defeating China. The victory puts them onto six points, giving real momentum to their dream of securing a place in the Semi Finals of the BDO FIH Hockey World Cup. For China, the result leaves them without a point after two games, hindering their chances of reaching the Semi Final stages.
MACLOED's strike arrived soon after the start of the match, converting a penalty corner to give England the perfect opening to the game. China worked hard for great periods of the first half to find a way past a resilient England defence, but were thwarted on a number of occasions by brilliant goalkeeping from Beth STORRY. China's frustration began to show with two disciplinary cards in quick succession, with SUN Sinan (Green - two minute suspension) and FU Baorong (Yellow - five minute suspension) both spending time off the field towards the end of the half. Hwwever, England captain Kate WALSH was also sent to the "sin bin" just before the break for a Green Card offence.
The second half saw China continue their search for an equaliser, with FU Baorong and ZHAO Yudiao missing early chances. Following her outstanding first half performance, England's STORRY made even more crucial saves in the second period, superbly blocking a number of penalty corner and open play efforts to keep her team in the lead. England won two penalty corners in quick succession towards the end of the match, but could not convert them. It mattered little, as Danny KERRY's team claimed a another crucial win to make their best start to a World Cup tournament since Sydney 1990.
Match 7 - China v England 0-1
> England secured their second victory at the 2010 World Cup to record their best World Cup start since 1990, when they won their first three matches and finished fourth.
> Hannah MacLeod (ENG) scored from a penalty corner in the first minute of the game.
> The last player to score a first minute goal in a World Cup match was South Africa’s Pietie Coetzee in 2002.
> At the 2007 Champions Trophy Toshie Tsukui (JPN) scored a first minute PC goal against Spain that proved to be the only goal of the match.
> The last time China failed to score in a World Cup match was in 2006 against Spain (1-0 defeat).
> China failed to convert any of the five penalty corners awarded in this match. They are yet to score a PC in this World Cup (0 for 7).
> England have now scored a penalty corner goal in both of their matches at Rosario 2010 (2 for 8).
Damons wonder-goal kills off Spain
South Africa forward Sulette DAMONS scored a candidate for goal of the tournament to give her team a thrilling victory over Spain in the second match of the day here in Rosario. The win moves South Africa onto three points, and is their first win in a World Cup match since 2002.
Pietee COETZEE opened the scoring for South Africa in the 21st minute with a penalty corner goal. It was her second goal in successive matches at this World Cup, proving that her decision to come out of international retirement at the age of 31 was a good choice both for herself and her team. Spain were soon level when Nuria CAMON hit back with a penalty corner goal of her own ten minutes later, and it was no more than they deserved.
The second half was an even battle, but the decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute when Sulette DAMONS brilliantly deflected a high cross into the net with her reverse stick which gave Spain keeper Maria LOPEZ DE EGUILAZ absolutely no chance of saving. Spain protested to the video umpire regarding the high cross into the circle, but the goal was allowed to stand. Spain rallied hard towards the end, but could not force an equaliser.
The result leaves Spain without a point after the completion of their opening two games of the BDO FIH Hockey World Cup.
Match 8 - South Africa v Spain 2-1
> South Africa record their first World Cup match win since the 2002 Final 13-14 against Ukraine (3-1).
> They had gone eight World Cup matches without a win since (2 draws – 6 defeats).
> Pietie Coetzee (RSA) and Nuria Camón (ESP) scored today, like they did eight years ago in the RSA-ESP (3-1) match at the 2002 World Cup.
> Coetzee has now scored in each match for RSA at the 2010 World Cup.
> Spain and China are the only teams still without any points after 2 matchdays in Pool B.
Rebecchi on target as Las Leonas win again
Argentina recorded a narrow victory over Korea in the final match of the day, with Carla REBECCHI getting the only goal of the game in the second half. REBECCHI's strike delighted the vast numbers of home fans packed in the stadium, all of which helped to create a simply sensational atmosphere.
The game was an extremely close contest, with both sides enjoying good spells of possession in the game. Korea frustrated the home favourites for much of the game thanks to outstanding defending, whilst at times looking extremely threatening on the counter-attack. However, Argentina seemed the side more likely to scorer, being cheered on by a vociferous crowd who raised the noise levels every time a Las Leonas player touched the ball. The key moment of the first period arrived in the final minute of the half when Luciana AYMAR was awarded a penalty stroke after being fouled in the circle, but Korea appealed to the video umpire who had the benefit of a different angle to overrule the decision.
Korea continued to frustrate their opponents in the second half, but eventually the breakthrough came when Carla REBECCHI scored a rebound following excellent build-up play from AYMAR. The floodgates threatened to open following the goal, but Korea held strong occasionally threatened to score an equaliser. However, Argentina sealed their second victory, and continue to look like a team destined for a place in the tournament Semi Finals.
Match 9 - Argentina v Korea 1-0
> Argentina join England at the top of the table in Pool B with six points from 2 matches.
> Argentina start their World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins like they did in the last three World Cup tournaments.
> Match winner Carla Rebecchi (ARG) has now scored in the last six major tournaments since the 2007 Champions Trophy (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 CT, 2008 OG and 2010 WC).
> Korea were awarded 3 penalty corners in today’s match, but failed to score off them.
> All four Asian teams at Rosario 2010 (IND, JPN, CHN and KOR) are yet to score off penalty corners.
> Argentina missed six pc’s today and are now on 2 for 11 for the whole tournament.
