Amstelveen (TIP): Giant-killers South Africa began their Phase 2 campaign in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup with an impressive 3-1 victory over France, while South Africa’s women were held to a 1-1 draw by Japan in the matches deciding positions from ninth to 16th.
The opening round of Phase 2 action produced an exciting mix of upsets, high-scoring contests and hard-fought encounters as teams began their battle for places in the next stage of the tournament.
Chile, who had earlier held Australia to an exciting 4-4 draw, once again showed their fighting spirit against England. The Chileans took an early lead but eventually succumbed to England’s sustained pressure, losing 1-4.
In another men’s match, Ireland registered a high-scoring 7-4 victory over Malaysia.
China, Australia share points
In the women’s competition, Olympic silver medalists China and Australia played out a 1-1 draw in a keenly contested Phase 2 encounter. China, who had earlier dropped points in a 2-2 draw against India in the group stage, took the lead in the 39th minute through Ying Zhang.
Australia pressed hard for an equaliser, but the Chinese defence held firm for much of the second half. The breakthrough eventually came in the 50th minute when Courtney Schonell converted a penalty stroke to level the scores. Neither side could find a winner as the match ended 1-1.
India had also progressed to Phase 2 after holding England to a goalless draw, the first scoreless match of the tournament. The result secured India second place in Pool D behind China.
Belgium survive Irish challenge
The final round of group-stage matches had earlier produced late goals and dramatic twists. Belgium registered a 2-1 victory over Ireland in a tense women’s Pool C encounter. Ireland took the lead in the 13th minute through Charlotte Beggs, who converted a penalty corner.
Belgium dominated possession and territory but struggled to find an equaliser. The breakthrough finally came in the 49th minute when Charlotte Englebert struck into the bottom-left corner. With the match heading towards its closing stages, Ambre Ballenghien scored with just 43 seconds remaining to complete Belgium’s comeback and send the team to the top of Pool C.
Spain also booked their place in the next round with a 3-0 victory over New Zealand, inspired by a hat-trick from Patricia Alvarez. After a goalless first half, Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. Play was briefly interrupted by heavy rain in Wavre, but Spain resumed control after the restart.
Alvarez scored again in the 55th minute before completing her hat-trick in the final minute after New Zealand withdrew their goalkeeper in search of a late comeback.
China cruise, India qualify
China secured top spot in Pool D with a comfortable 5-1 victory over South Africa.
Meirong Zou opened the scoring before Paris-Gail Isaacs equalised from a South African penalty corner. China quickly regained control, with Jiaqi Zhong and Anhui Yu converting penalty corners.
Yi Chen added another from open play before Zou completed her brace late in the match.
India, meanwhile, held England to a goalless draw to finish second in the group and qualify for Phase 2, while England were eliminated after failing to secure the victory they needed.
Argentina and Netherlands dominate
In the men’s competition, Argentina produced one of the most dominant performances of the final group stage, thrashing New Zealand 7-1.
Tomas Domene starred with a hat-trick as Argentina recovered from an early setback. Kane Russell gave New Zealand the lead from a penalty stroke in the 13th minute, but Domene equalised from the spot before half-time.
Argentina took complete control after the break. Bautista Capurro put them ahead before Domene added his second goal from a penalty corner. Tadeo Marcucci and Nicolas Keenan further extended the lead, while Capurro scored again late in the match.
Domene completed his hat-trick in the final minute to seal a 7-1 win and cap a commanding performance by Argentina.
Hosts the Netherlands also finished the group stage on top of Pool A after beating Japan 4-1.
Japan stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the eighth minute through Kazumasa Matsumoto. However, the Netherlands responded quickly, with Thijs van Dam equalising four minutes later.Japan held the Dutch at bay until the closing stages, but a penalty stroke converted by Jip Janssen gave the hosts the lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Tim Reijnders then struck twice from penalty corners in the final five minutes to complete a 4-1 victory.
(Prabhjot Singh is a Toronto-based senior journalist who writes on Sports, politics and community. He can be reached at prabhjot416@gmail.com)
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