Santiago (2 Dec, 2016): Asian junior champions China and Japan will battle in the 9-10th classification match while neighbours and arch rivals Korea plays host Chile for 11-12th spots in the Women’s Junior World Cup in the Chilean capital city of Santiago on Saturday.
The Chinese edged the Koreans by a single goal scored by Tang Wanli in the 44th minute while Japan rattled hosts Chile 6-1 in the 9-12th classification matches played on Friday at the vast multi-sport Club Deportivo Manquehue complex.
Elsewhere, New Zealand shackled and pounded Zimbabwe 16-0 – the highest score by a team at the women’s Hockey Junior World Cup 2016 in the 13-16th classification match and South Africa defeated France 3-1 in penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation time.
New Zealand faces South Africa in the playoff for 13-14th position and Zimbabwe plays France in the 15-16th play-off match.
China had a chance to double the score, eight minutes from time when Zhou Yu and Li Hong combined well to force a foot foul on the line. Li Hong stepped up to take the ensuing penalty stroke but her shot went wide of Lim Eunhee’s goal.
Japan battered the host as early as the 10th minute with a goal from Ayaka Nishimura. This was the first of five goals scored by Japan from open play as their slick passing tore the Chile defence apart. Mai Toriyama scored the second goal, followed by a brace from Motomi Kawamura. Maho Segawa scored the fifth, and Airi Nakahana netted the sixth from a penalty corner, before Chile got onto the scoresheet through Fernanda Villagran.
The Black sticks gave a fine display of attacking play and clinical finishing and looked good upfront, thanks largely to sloppy defending by Zimbabwe.
The first 10 minutes were goalless, despite New Zealand spending most of the time camped in the Zimbabweans half. Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper, Jordyn Clipstone, was kept busy and pulled off some good saves.
New Zealand’s first goal came from Kayla Reed, followed swiftly by goals from Deanna Ritchie and Alia Jaques and that signalled the opening of the flood gates. The first half saw seven goals – team captain Phoebe Steele, Megan Hull, Stephanie Dickins and Tarry Davey all finding the back of the net.
The Kiwis upped the ante and scored two more goals from Stephanie, Megan and Alia while Phoebe, with four goals, Deanna and Kayla added up the numbers for New Zealand.
“We are disappointed not to make the quarter-finals so we wanted to go out and play our game. The girls certainly enjoyed this one,” said New Zealand captain, Phoebe.
Following an intriguing 70 minutes of action-packed drama on the field, South Africa triumphed 3-1 over the France in penalty shootout.
South Africa went first and Natalie Esteves was clinical as she gave her team the lead. Emma Ponthieu responded for France but none of her teammates were able to follow her line. For South Africa, Danielle Cairns and Tegan Fourie both scored to send South Africa into a battle for 13th place against New Zealand on Saturday.
The action returns this weekend with two semi-finals encounters on the schedule. Argentina faces Australia in the first semi-final and defending champions Netherlands meets Spain in the second.
The United States and Belgium will kick-start action in the 5-8th classification match followed by Germany-England encounter.
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