China fall to England at World Cup qualifier (CRIENGLISH.com) Updated: 2006-04-27 10:33 The Chinese women's hockey team suffered a big
blow at the World Cup qualifier as they lost to England 2-1 at last minute of
the match.
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England players
celebrate their points. [worldhockey.org] |
| China
orchestrated to a good start, leading 1-0 only six minutes into the game through
Ren Ye's shot.
England recovered and proceeded to set the tempo of the match before the a
last-minute penalty corner goal to Helen Richardson to give England a vital win
over tournament favorites China.
England are now favoured to take one of the top two spots in Pool A and with
it a berth at the Samsung Hockey World Cup in Madrid later this year. They face
France on Friday and a victory will take them to the brink of qualification.
Japan sits atop Pool A ahead of England on goal difference after dispatching
a determined Ukraine in the second match of the day.
Although they had a significant advantage in territory and possession for
most of the contest, loose Japanese defence after the break allowed Ukraine into
the match, with only inefficiency in front of goal denying the underdogs the
lead in a frantic opening to the second half.
Fortunately for Japan, they rediscovered their focus and eventually
transferred their dominance in general play onto the scoreboard, with Tomomi
Komori and Kaori Chiba notching doubles to lift their team into top spot in Pool
A.
Ukraine continue to take the pitch without the services of star midfielder
Tetyana Kobzenko due to a knee injury.
The absence of the brilliant 29-year-old has robbed Ukraine of most of their
playing-making ability and without her inspiration, they face a tough battle to
make it into the playoffs for fifth place despite their determination and
willingness to compete.
In the late match, France produced a storming second half to overwhelm
Scotland and snatch a surprise victory. They are now level with China on three
points and in a good position to at least finish in the top four of Pool A.
While the top two in each pool after the completion of the round phase will
earn a place at the World Cup, the third and fourth placed teams are still in
with a chance via the fifth place playoff over the last three days of the
tournament.
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