India hold England; Netherlands, Argentina, Belgium register big wins

 

India and England players in action

Lausanne, Switzerland, July 3:Netherlands stormed their way to the top of Pool A after a 3-1 win over Germany, while India and England had an exciting 1-1 draw in Pool B play. Belgium took down South Africa 4-1 with double goals from each of Stephanie vanden Borre and Charlotte Englebert. Pool C saw an impressive performance from Canada but Korea found responses to come back and take the game 3-2, while Argentina blasted Spain 4-1.

Favourites Netherlands and Argentina sit atop their respective pools with two wins, while with only one game played each in Pool B and Pool D it’s still anyone’s game.

Belgium v South Africa (Pool D)

It was a game of penalty corners as four of five goals in the game came off set pieces as Belgium took their opening game in pool D play 4-1 over South Africa. Despite the score margin the Red Panthers had 15 penalty corners in the game to South Africa’s three. Stephanie vanden Borre put in two penalty corner goals in the second quarter to give Belgium a cushion. Belgium retained most of the possession but couldn’t find a way in free play past South African keeper Phumelela Mbande.

South Africa had few attacks but were able to garner a penalty corner in the 24th minute after a fast break. Almost catching Belgium by surprise, the ball was very quickly slapped down the pipe and Jean-Leigh du Toit’s shot beat Aisling D’hooghe between the pads to cut Belgium’s lead in half. It was a small resolve though as Belgium still dominated the second half. Credit to Mbande who continued to stymie waves of attack including several penalty corners and a stunner of a back-hand from Charlotte Englebert.

Englebert was on fire in the fourth quarter and she buried a penalty corner variation after injecting the ball to make it 3-1 in the 53rd minute. More penalty corners rained on South Africa including a rebound attempt from vanden Borre that rang the left-hand post. Late in the game a bit of pressure on Lisa-Marie Deetlefs forced a turnover at the stroke mark right to the stick of Englebert but Mbande slid out to create congestion. In the dying minutes, eventual player of the match, Englebert, was there to blast in a rebound for a fourth goal in the 57th minute. The 4-1 win gave Belgium the three points they needed to start their tournament on a high.  

“We are really happy,” said captain vanden Borre after the match. “It was our first goal of the tournament to get the three points so now on to the next one. We need some more energy for the full 60 minutes to keep on playing forward.”

England v India (Pool B)

It was an action-packed opening game for England and India who drew 1-1 in Poll B play. India had a penalty corner in the opening minute but the England rushers were up to the task. While India seemed to put a little more attacking pressure, it was England who were first on the board. A quick rush down the right side allowed Lily Owsley to feed Isabelle Petter in traffic. The ball came across the circle in the air and Petter’s reaching touch effortlessly redirected the ball into the mesh for a 1-0 England lead. India didn’t seemed phase as they responded with a penalty corner in the other end. Kaur Gurjit flicked high stick side and the ball pinged off the post but eventually ended in a re-award. Shona McCallin was there to clear the second attempt.

India came out in the second quarter again with attacking pressure as Kaur Gurjit’s penalty corner delivery flew just under the stick of injector Kaur Navneet in the opening moments. Sophie Hamilton then forced a save out of Indian keeper Savita only to see the end-to-end play continue with an Indian barck-hand shot flying high and wide of the England goal. Finally, India were able to deservingly find their equalizer. A penalty corner strike from Monika was saved by the stick of a sprawling Maddie Hinch and Katariya Vandana was there to flick in the rebound and level the game before half time.

It was a quiet third quarter with England holding most of the attack and possession, but Savita was not required in action. Just before the third-quarter hooter though, India had a ball bouncing in the circle and some quality footwork allowed Neha to one-time blast the ball on her back-hand but Maddie Hinch made the save.

England continued to dominate but were unable to generate a quality chance on goal. India had fewer chances but looked just as dangerous. A bouncing ball beat Hinch and was on target for a wide open Sonika but the ball hit her in the 57th minute. England thought they had a penalty corner in the final minute but a video referral overturned it. The game remained equal 1-1, a deserving score line as both keepers were superb.

Isabelle Petter was named player of the match and said commented after the game: ‘It was always a tough first game against India. They’re a class side. We were happy with the draw would have wanted the win but happy to take the point and on to the next game now. We’ve got a rest day tomorrow and then we will focus on our next game against China.’

Korea v Canada (Pool C)

All of the action were in the first and last minutes of the game as Canada and Korea traded goals with two goals in each of the opening two minutes and final three minutes. Despite playing in their own end for a lot of the match, it was Korea that came out with the 3-2 victory to serve heartbreak to the Canadians.

Korea wasted no time earning a penalty corner in the first 30 seconds of the game as pressure forced Natalie Sourisseau to clear the ball high into her teammate. Kim Minji flick rocketed just above the backboard, stick high of Canadian keeper Rowan Harris, to give the Koreans a 1-0 lead. A minute later Canada was able to respond. A high aerial from Karli Johanssen was mishandled by the Korean defence allowing Brienne Stairs to pounce on it. Stairs fed the ball cleverly to Maddie Secco, who showed great composure to curl and bury the ball for the equalizer. Canada weathered two more Korean penalty corners in the opening quarter and then the WolfPack found themselves at the other end, earning a penalty corner after a video referral. Johanssen’s flick was swatted away by the glove of Lee Jinmin.

Canada continued to pressure and almost found the go-ahead when a back-hand cross from Sourisseau just skipped under the diving stick of Hannah Haughn at the back post in the 21st minute. Korea, who seemed docile for most of the opening moments, found some attacking strides and captain Eunbi Cheon had a reverse-stick blast that was saved well from close range by Harris.

It was a calm third quarter with a few penalty corner chances and some stingy defensive work in both ends. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Korea nabbed the lead. Seona Kim showed some brilliant composure in the circle to receive and blast one from close range past Harris after some superb transition through midfield. Canada striker Stairs turned up the heat through the final moments of game earning Canada an important penalty corner with under five minutes to go. Johanssen’s flick was saved on the post by Jungeun Seo but the play resulted in a re-award. This time Canada unleashed a brilliant set piece slip to Sara McManus and then in to the deserving Stairs, whose deflection tied the game 2-2.

Hard work from Eunbi Cheon tied up Harris in the Canadian circle and Jungeun Seo was there to tap the ball into the empty goal to end any further Canadian momentum. Canada had another penalty corner denied by Korea and then a back-hand shot by Jordyn Faiczak but they just could not find the equalizer. Korea hung on to their 3-2 lead to climb past Canada in Pool B play.

Following the game Seona Kim said: ‘We couldn’t have won that game without all the players on the team. We will try our best in every moment. We don’t know what is going to happen to next but we will try our best. We have three more days so if there are any issues or errors we will try our best to sort those out until then.’

Germany v Netherlands (Pool A)

The Netherlands soared to the top of Pool A after a 3-1 victory over Germany. Despite the score line it was a very tight match up until the final 12 minutes of the game. There was never going to be any doubt about the pace and class that would be on display between Germany (WR: 5) and Netherlands (WR: 1). It was equally special for Frederique Matla who celebrated her 100th international on home soil.

The Netherlands got off to their usual fiery start showcasing their size and strength on the ball to keep German keeper Julia Sonntag on her toes. In the 13th minute Marloes Keetels ran the left baseline and her cross was stopped by Selin Oruz but the ball bounced back to Keetels who paced it under Julia Sonntag for the opening goal. The Dutch should have gone up 2-0 when Lidewij Welten spun her check in midfield and then brilliantly fed Laurien Leurik. With all the time in the world it was unimaginable that Leurik’s shot could blast wide but it was to the relief of Sonntag.  

Chances were again few and far between in the second quarter but it was Germany Lena Micheel who blasted a ball on target for a sliding Hannah Granitzki but they couldn’t connect.  Germany also had a chance when Charlotte Stapenhorst earned a back-hand shot that was then denied by Dutch keeper Josine Koning. Corners happened in both ends but the first runners, Kira Horn for Germany and Margot van Geffen for the Netherlands, showed some fearless defensive efforts.  

Finally, in the 48th minute, a nifty pass from Welten gave space for Freeke Moes to one-time the ball in and lift the Dutch 2-0. You could see the momentum break in favour of the Oranje and then Maria Verschoor was there to tap in a rebound to make it 3-0 just two minutes later. Horn did well to earn Germany a late penalty corner and Die Danas made no mistake. Sonja Zimmerman slipped the ball wide to Nike Lorenz, whose low flick broke the shutout of Koning. The Germans pulled their goalkeeper in the final minutes but couldn’t overcome the Dutch power. The 3-1 victory lift the Dutch to the top of Pool A.

“It was a really battlefield,” said Marloes Keetels, named Player of the Match. “We had to fight for every ball just like the Germans did. Maybe it is because we are neighbours that our games are always hard but it was a nice match to play.”

Spain v Argentina (Pool C)

There was no shortage of passion and pride on the line as Argentina and Spain were scoreless through the opening 39 minutes of play. Los Leonas finally found their strides late in the third quarter and eventually took the game 4-1 over the hosts.

Both teams had penalty corner chances in the get-going as Agustina Gorzelany had her first flick saved by the glove of Melanie Garcia in the eighth minute of play. Julieta Jankunas batted the rebound above her head towards goal but just as brilliantly Clara Ycart cleared it out of the air and away from trouble. Spain’s Xantal Gine had a penalty corner flick less than a minute later, but her shot went high and wide of the Argentine goal.

Argentina thought they had the opening goal with two seconds left in the first quarter as a penalty corner delivery from Valentina Costa was deflected in my Eugenia Trinchinetti. A good use of the self-referral saw Scotland umpire Sarah Wilson overturn the corner as the ball didn’t come out of the circle. Argentina had more penalty corner chances including a rebound attempt from Maria Granatto where she popped it up and then tried to bat it over her head and in but the ball went just wide of the goal.

Spain’s best chance came in the third quarter when a hard pass into the Argentine circle was deflected perfectly to Lucia Jimenez. With only keeper Belen Succi to beat, Jimenez just couldn’t find a way past the stacked pads. Moments later it was Jimenez, this time in the Spanish circle, who fouled Maria Granatto to force a penalty stroke for Argentina. Gorzelany made no mistake burying it glove side, high on Garcia for the opening goal. Less than a minute later and Oliva’s stick foul on a charging Agustina Albertarrio put the Leonas back at the top of the circle. This time, Valentina Raposo’s straight hit at goal ricocheted under and off the pads of Garcia to make it 2-0 for Argentina.

The goals kept coming as Gorzelany unleashed one of her best flicks of recent months, beating Garcia high stick side with mind-blowing precision and pace for a 3-0 Argentina lead. Spain turned some gears on and, with Agostina Alonso off with a yellow card, were able to get on the board. Begoña Garcia finished on a penalty corner to leave Spain trailing 3-1. With 20 seconds to go, Maria Granatto got the slightest of touches on a Gorzelany drag flick to seal the game 4-1.

Following the game, Gorzelany, now with four goals in the tournament, said: “It was a really tough game. At the beginning it was really close. They were defending their best to not allow us to enter but soring the stroke we opened the game. We were then more relaxed and then we got the penalty corner and I think we deserved the win. It was beautiful to see so many Argentina fans in the crowd here in Spain.”

There is a rest day tomorrow, Monday 4 July, and then the action in the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup continues on Tuesday 5 July. At the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Pool A’s Ireland will play Chile at 14:00, followed by Pool B’s India and China at 16:30, and Pool B’s New Zealand vs England at 19:30.

At the Estadi Olimpic de Terrasa in Spain, Pool D’s Japan plays South Africa at 18:00, followed by Belgium playing Australia (Pool D) at 21:30.

Check out the pool standings here. 

Pool A: Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Chile 
Pool B: England, New Zealand, India, China 
Pool C: Argentina, Spain, Korea, Canada 
Pool D: Australia, Belgium, Japan, South Africa 

FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Spain & Netherlands 2022

3 July 2022 Results

Estadi Olimpic de Terrasa (ESP)

Match #7

Belgium 4, South Africa 1

Player of the Match: Charlotte Englebert (BEL)

Umpires: Catalina Montesino (CHI), Hannah Harrison (ENG), Sarah Wilson (SCO-reserve), Alison Keogh (IRL-video)

Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen (NED)

Match #8

England 1, India 1

Player of the Match: Isabelle Petter (ENG)

Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Irene Presenqui (ARG), Kang Hyun Young (KOR-reserve), Wanri Venter (RSA-video)

Estadi Olimpic de Terrasa (ESP)

Match #9

Korea 3, Canada 2

Player of the Match: Seo Jungeun (KOR)

Umpires: Michele Meister (GER), Kelly Hudson (NZL), Cookie Tan (SGP-reserve), Ayanna McClean (TTO-video)

Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen (NED)

Match #10

Germany 1, Netherlands 3

Player of the Match: Marloes Keetels (NED)

Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS), Laurine Delforge (BEL), Emi Yamada (JPN-reserve), Ivona Makar (CRO-video)

Estadi Olimpic de Terrasa (ESP)

Match #11

Spain 1, Argentina 4

Player of the Match: Maria Granatto (ARG)

Umpires:  Sarah Wilson (SCO), Alison Keogh (IRL), Catalina Montesino (CHI-reserve), Cookie Tan (SGP-video)

FIH Press release

Germany, Netherlands, Argentina register wins in women's hockey World Cup

A  Netherlands player in action during their match against Ireland 

Lausanne, Switzerland, July 2: Emotions ran high on the second day of action at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup. Head Coach to Chile, Sergio Vigil fought back tears as his team lined up for their first ever World Cup appearance; Eva de Goede was visibly moved as her dream of a fourth World Cup came true, despite months away from the game through injury.

 

On the pitch there was also no lack of drama and emotion. New Zealand returned to international action with a solid draw against China. Olivia Merry was on the scoresheet, demonstrating that she has lost none of her fire power that we saw in previous pre-Covid years. The second match saw Chile make their debut on the World Cup stage. Although the Diablas lost to Die Danas, they won a lot of fans – both for their pacy play and for the passion shown by the team and their animated Head Coach. The next match saw a masterclass in penalty corner striking from Agustina Gorzelany as Argentina broke down a resilient Korea defence to start their campaign in some style.

 

Reigning champions Netherlands got off to a cracking start as they put paid to gallant Ireland, two of the goals scored by Frederique Matla from penalty strokes. The final match of the day saw the re-emergence of Australia and Japan, both of whom have not figured much on the international stage in recent months. It took until the 56th minute for a breakthrough to come as Australia finally made goalmouth pressure count.

New Zealand vs China

The first quarter saw these two teams testing each other out but with no goal scored in that period of play. China came the closest when Zheng Jiali was in a perfect position to shoot after a good piece of swift passing had created space. She hit the ball as she was falling off balance and the shot flew harmlessly high.

For New Zealand, this was the first taste of international action – with the exception of matches against Oceania neighbours Australia – since the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, so it was understandable that the team began tentatively.

The second half saw the Black Sticks take the lead through Rose Tynan. In just her fourth senior match, Tynan showed skill and composure to receive the ball, turn and transfer the ball to her reverse and then fire past Liu Ping in the China goal.

At half-time China Head Coach Alyson Annan called for her team to win penalty corners. The team answered and three minutes into the second half, Zhang Ying sent a hard shot low into the New Zealand goal past Grace O'Hanlon. The ball took a deflection on the way, meaning the keeper was caught off-guard.

China added to the scoreline through a second penalty corner. This time it was Gu Bingfeng who sent the shot into the same area. Her shot was hard, accurate and just high enough to evade O'Hanlon's outstretched foot.

The momentum swung back and forth between the two teams but it was New Zealand who scored the all-important equalising goal in the 48th minute. Olivia Merry continued to show why she is a feared striker as she sent a penalty corner flying into the China goal.

The scores remained at 2-2 for the rest of the match, despite some close calls for both teams.

Player of the Match Hope Ralph (NZL) said she and her teammates were delighted to be at the World Cup and glad to get a point on the board and a game under their belt. 

Germany vs Chile

Just how much this match meant to World Cup debutants Chile were obvious from the tears rolling down the face of Head Coach Sergio Vigil as the national anthem was being sung. 

However, it was Germany who got off to the perfect start. A rocket of a reverse stick shot from Pauline Heinz gave Germany a 1-0 lead against World Cup debutants Chile in the first half. 

The South American side got off to a bright start putting the German defence under pressure. However, Germany gradually worked their way into the game and when Heinz pulled the trigger it was a reward for some good pressure on the Chile circle.

Germany doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when four swift passes moved the ball from their defensive circle to the back of Claudia Schuler's net. Charlotte Stapenhorst was the scorer, coolly netting the ball but the passes – particularly the pass to Stapenhorst from Pia Maertens – that led to the moment were equally sublime.

Chile struck back in the 27th minute when Las Diablas won two consecutive penalty corners. Denise Losada-Krimerman made no mistake as she rattled the German backboard with a well-struck shot.

The third quarter saw Germany really pile on the pressure as they sought to re-establish a two goal cushion. Dogged defence by Chile kept the higher ranked team at bay until the 44th minute when Germany employed a clever routine at a penalty corner to score their third goal. Anne Schroeder scored after Nike Lorenz had disguised the pass as she slipped the ball back to Schroeder, who had injected the ball.

 A counter-attack of the highest quality saw Germany extend their lead to 4-1. Chile had won a hard-earned penalty corner which had been broken down by the fast German defence. The ball was quickly transferred up the pitch and Player of the Match Charlotte Stapenhorst was on hand to slot it home.

Speaking after the game, Charlotte Stapenhorst said: 'Chile had a really really good start. We didn't know what to expect of them so we took a look at them in the first quarter. We had some things to change after half time. We had some constructive comments and made some changes and they were really effective.'

Argentina vs Korea

Argentina got off to the best of starts when Agustina Gorzelany rifled home a penalty corner in the second minute. After that start, Argentina may have expected to race ahead but, despite the domination enjoyed by Las Leonas, Korea's tight marking kept the score at a narrow 1-0.

In the second quarter, Belen Succi was called into action several times as Korea began to create some space and put together some attacking moves. Cheon Eunbi was looking dangerous in the Argentina circle but her attempt was smothered by an ever-alert Succi. 

Despite Korea's increased attacking momentum in the second quarter, it was Argentina who found the goal for a second time. Gorzelany was again able to show her immense ability from penalty corner  routines as she sent the ball with pinpont accuracy and plenty of power high into the Korea goal. Two minutes later and Victoria Granatto was able to tip in the ball for a third goal. The initial penalty corner was saved and then Maria Granatto sent the ball goalwards and her sister got the final touch.

In the third quarter Korea again set up a resilient defence but without really troubling the Argentina defence to any real extent. In an almost mirror reflection of the previous quarter, Argentina made pressure count in the final minutes of the quarter. A penalty corner rebounded to Julieta Jankunas, who niftily lifted it past Lee Jinmin in the Korea goal.

The fourth quarter was about damage limitation for Korea. Lee pulled off a magnificent save from a dangerous shot from Jankunas and her colleagues were equally determined not to let any further goals in. 

The Player of the Match was Argentina's dynamic midfielder Maria Granatto. She said the team were feeling happy and confident at the moment. Korea's captain Seo Jungeon said her team had been nervous ahead of this match but, on the whole, they were happy with their performance.

Netherlands vs Ireland

There were tears for Eva de Goede at the start of the match between Netherlands and Ireland, with the midfielder overwhelmed at being back for a home World Cup after being out of the game for so long with an ACL injury. It was a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final and, like that match, Netherlands dominated possession from the get-go but, by the end of the first quarter it was still goalless.

The breakthrough came early in the second quarter. A foul on Maria Verschoor led to a penalty stroke, which Frederique Matla had no hesitation in dispatching past Ayeisha McFerran in the Ireland goal. At the end of the quarter Eva de Goede came close to doubling the lead when a clever penalty corner routine left the midfielder with a chance to shoot. Her shot flew over the goal.

To the delight of the home spectators in the Wagener Stadium, Netherlands doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Yibbi Jansen scored from a penalty corner with a powerful drag flick that flew between McFerran and the post player. The Dutch celebrated but two minutes later Ireland stunned their oponents and the crowd when they scored from their own penalty corner. Roisin Upton getting the final touch that sent the ball past Anne Veenendaal in the Netherlands' goal.

The tempo increased as Oranje tried to recover their two goal buffer and the stadium erupted when Sabine Plonissen scored her first senior goal - another beautifully taken penalty corner drag flick. Netherlands fourth goal was scored again by Frederique Matla from a penalty stroke. Lidewij Welten intercepted the ball and slipped it to Felice Albers. Albers ran at the goal and McFerran had little option than to bring the player down. Welten's penalty stroke was precisely placed in the corner of the goal.

In the fourth quarter the Dutch extended their lead to 5-1 when Maria Verschoor showed her skill and agility to dance past the defence and slot the ball into the goal. There was plenty more for the Irish defence to do in the remaining minutes of the game but no further goals. 

Player of the Match Sabina Plonissen (NED) said: 'We had a great start and we are happy to begin the tournament. We have trained hard so we were glad to win. We thought at half time that we needed to increase the tempo and put more pressure on Ireland. We did that and the goals came. I have never played in front of a crowd like that.'

Australia vs Japan

Japan started the first quarter very strongly and won a series of penalty corners against their higher ranked opponents. Towards the final five minutes momentum shifted completely and it was Australia who were peppering the Japanese goal with penalty corner attempts. Despite all the circle activity, it remained goalless after 15 minutes.

Australia started the second quarter in much the same vein as they finished the first, winning penalty corners but then finding no way past a very strong Japanese defence. 

As the match continued, it looked more and more likely that the match was going to be the first goalless draw of the competition. Both teams were defending like demons and hoping to strike on the counter attack, but this approach led to stalemate with neither team able to find a breakthrough.

With penalty corner attempts getting into double figures for the Hockeyroos, it is obvious what Head Coach Katrina Powell will be looking to improve before Australia take to the field again. 

The breakthrough finally came in the 56th minute when Mariah Williams pounced on the ball after a confused melee in the Japanese circle saw Mai Toriyama caught in posession just a metre from her own goal. Williams got the final touch and her team mates erupted into relieved celebrations. Japan's Head Coach Jude Menezes instantly pulled his goalkeeper Eike Nakamura and Japan tried to make the most of an outfield player advantage.

The game was put beyond all doubt with just one minute left. Rosie Malone was fed the ball by Williams and with a deft touch she steered the ball into an empty Japanese goal.

Player of the Match, Mariah Williams (AUS) said: 'It was a good fight from the girls. we dug deep and worked hard. We knew if we stuck to our processes, we could get the win.' 

The action in the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup continues on Sunday 3 July. At the Estadi Olympic de Terrassa, Belgium and South Africa open their Pool D campaigns at 15:00. At 16:30, Pool B resumes as India and England face each other in the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. Back in Spain at 18:00 Korea and Canada are in action, while at 19:30 Germany face Netherlands in the Wagener Stadium. 

2 July 2022 Results

Estadi Olimpic de Terrassa, Spain

Match #2
New Zealand 2, China 2
Player of the Match: Hope Ralph (NZL)
Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Wanri Venter (RSA), Maggie Giddens (USA - video)

Wagener Stadium, Netherlands

Match #3
Germany 4, Chile 1
Player of the Match: Charlotte Stapenhorst (GER)
Umpires: Ivona Makar (CRO), Emi Yamada (JPN), Annelize Rostron (RSA - Video)

Estadi Olimpic de Terrassa, Spain

Match #4
Argentina 4, Korea 0
Player of the Match: Maria Granatto (ARG)
Umpires: Michelle Meister (GER), Alison Keogh (IRL), Hannah Harrison (ENG - video)

Wagener Stadium, Netherlands

Match #5
Netherlands 5, Ireland 1
Player of the Match: Sabine Plonissen (NED)
Umpires: Maggie Giddens (USA), Kang Hyun Young KOR), Laurine Delforge (BEL - video)

Estadi Olimpic de Terrassa, Spain

Match #6
Australia 2, Japan 0
Player of the Match: Mariah Williams (AUS)
Umpires: Cookie Tan (SGP), Kelly Hudson (NZL) Sarah Wilson (SCO - video)

FIH Press release

 

Spain overpower Canada in women's World Cup hockey

Lausanne, Switzerland: Spain became the first nation to win points in the 15th FIH Women's World Cup when they won the opening match on home turf at the Estadi Olimpic de Terrassa.

 The magnificent venue, which has such a tradition in hockey, hosted the showpiece opening match between Spain and Canada. The Pool C match saw the host nation, who are ranked eighth in the FIH World Rankings, put in a dominant first half performance to beat Canada (WR:12) by a convincing 4-1 scoreline.

Spain broke the deadline after just five minutes when Belen Iglesias scored from a rebound off a penalty corner. There was quite a goalmouth scramble before Iglesias was able to tip the ball home and Canada's goalkeeper Rowan Harris will be annoyed that her defenders didn't clear the danger ball earlier. It was no less than Spain deserved as they dominated the first 15 minutes.

The Red Sticks doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Gine Xantal sent home a sweetly-struck hard shot that nestled in the corner of Canada's goal.

Canada created their own chance. Hannah Haughn, who has recently returned from injury, was able to weave her way through the Spanish defence but couldn't find the final touch to trouble Melabnia Garcia in the Spanish goal.  

Five minutes later and Spain were back on the attack with yet another penalty corner. This time it was captain Maria Lopez who found a way past the Canada defence. Her hard shot took a deflection off the number one runner for Canada. 

The fourth goal was a fabulous demonstration of fast hands and quick thinking. Georgina Oliva picked a perfect pass from close to the sideline to Begona Garcia who was waiting in the circle. Garcia shifted her position slightly to evade the defenders and guided the ball past Harris. 

Following the dominant performance by the Spanish in the first half, the second half can be claimed by Canada. Spain continued to press and create chances but were unable to find a way through the Canadian defence. Canada, for their part, showed the defiant resilience for which they are renown. Goalkeeper Harris will be pleased with some of the athletic saves she pulled off in the second half.

Canada were rewarded for their efforts with a goal in the 57th minute by Karli Johansen as she slipped the ball through the legs of Jana Martinez. Natalie Sourisseau did the hard work to win the penalty corner from which Johansen found the back of the net.

Following the game, Player of the Match, Georgina Oliva, said: 'We knew the first match was important because we can be nervous, particularly in front of a home crowd. Now we must stick to our plan and play match by match and then other results will come.'

The action in the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup continues on Saturday 2 July. At the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, New Zealand will play China in Pool B at 14:00. That match is followed at 16:30 by Germany versus Chile, the first Pool A game of the tournament.  

At 18:00 Argentina face Korea in Pool C and at 18:30 Pool A continues as the Netherlands start their campaign in a repeat of the 2018 final, when they face Ireland in the Wagener Stadium. 

The final match of the day sees Australia against Japan in the first Pool D match. 

Pool A: Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Chile 
Pool B: England, New Zealand, India, China 
Pool C: Argentina, Spain, Korea, Canada 
Pool D: Australia, Belgium, Japan, South Africa 

Result: Estadi Olimpic de Terrassa

Match #1

Spain 4, Canada 1

Player of the Match: Georgina Oliva (ESP)

Umpires: Hannah Harrison (ENG, Ayanna McClean (TTO), Kelly Hudson (NZL - video)

FIH press release

 

Women’s Hockey World Cup: Ready to show the world what they've got

Lausanne, Switzerland, June 30: Pool D contains three teams that have not had the benefit of FIH Hockey Pro League action as Australia, Belgium, Japan and South Africa get ready to take to the field in Terrassa.

Australia’s international action since the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has been limited to Trans-Tasman competition against New Zealand. Despite this, Australia will arrive in Spain as a team to be wary. They have won this competition twice (1994 and 1998) and won silver three times (1990, 2006 and 2014). In 2018 they finished fourth.

Current Head Coach Katrina Powell was a member of the gold medal team of 1998 and, with several months of hard work on the training field under her belt, she will be looking to lead this team to a podium finish. 

The team is talking up the fact that other nations haven’t seen them in action, combined with a real fire to get back onto the world stage among the players. While there is a new look to the squad that played in 2018, with five players arriving with fewer than five caps, there is also a backbone of experience. Captain Jane Claxton is approaching 200 caps and vice-captain Kaitlin Nobbs is nearing 100. Another co-captain, Brooke Peris also has more than 180 caps. Combine this knowledge with the desire to show Australian hockey to the world again and the Hockeyroos could be there at the business end of the event. 

Belgium are a side that has benefited from FIH Pro League action and, oddly, from not being at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. This latter point was made by former Red Panther Jill Boon, who said the team had been able to quietly develop and grow for the past four years without the intense pressure of an Olympic Games. Despite a high number of caps among their ranks, Belgium is the team with the youngest average age at the competition (24.11)

The team is packed with talented players that combine the exciting use of 3D skills and long aerials with a disciplined possession game when needed. Barbara Nelen, Stephanie Vanden Borre and Michelle Struck offer stability. Ambre Ballenghien, Abi Raye and Charlotte Englebert are exciting flair players and Alix Gerniers and Louise Versavel are showing the form of their lives currently.

In 2018, Belgium finished a disappointing 10th, expect much better for Raoul Ehren’s team this time.

Japan won the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2022 beating India, Korea and China along the way. Under the charge of former India goalkeeper Jude Menezes, the team has grown and – in keeping with their nickname – blossomed in the past few months.

It is a team packed with talent and experience. Captain Yuri Nagai, Hazuki Nagai and Shihori Oikawa are multi capped stalwarts in the team. Yu Asai is unflappable in defence. New squad member Kaho Tanaka may only have a handful of caps so far but she has already proved herself a dynamo in front of goal.

Japan’s best finish at a World Cup was fifth in 2006 and in London in 2018 they finished 13th, despite playing some very stylish hockey. This year the Cherry Blossoms are aiming for the high branches. 

South Africa are once more the African continents sole representative and, as always, they will arrive in Terrassa ready to battle for their country and their continent’s honour. The team’s best ever World Cup finish was 7th in 1998 but in 2014 they achieved a commendable ninth, finishing above their ranking. 

South Africa has competed in every FIH Women’s World Cup since 1998 and they have been solid performers at every edition. 

The team arrives in Terrassa with a number of inexperienced players but a backbone of athletes who know exactly what competition of this level looks like. Lisa-Marie Deetlefs, Lilian du Plessis, Bernadette Coston and Quanita Bobbs are hardened campaigners who will always leave everything on the pitch. Temper this resolve with the energy and hard running of Hanrie Louw, Bianca Wood and the goal scoring potential of Jean-Leigh du Toit and it is a compelling team to watch. 

Giles Bonnet is back in charge as Head Coach and he too knows just how to get the most from his players. 

FIH press release