The FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup concluded its group stage with New Zealand’s 3-1 victory over Scotland, Ireland’s 2-0 win against Korea, Chile’s 3-1 triumph over the USA, and Japan’s narrow 2-1 win over Canada. These results secured semi-final spots for New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, and Japan, showcasing their strengths throughout the tournament.
The final matches of the group stage in the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup showcased several significant outcomes. New Zealand triumphed over Scotland with a score of 3-1, allowing them to secure a place in the semi-finals. Ireland continued their strong performance by defeating Korea 2-0, remaining unbeaten and showcasing an excellent defensive record throughout the tournament. Chile also proved to be a formidable opponent by defeating the USA 3-1, while Japan narrowly overcame Canada with a score of 2-1, highlighted by a last-minute goal.
New Zealand commenced the decisive day with a victory against Scotland, recovering after initially falling behind. Although Scotland scored early, New Zealand exhibited greater precision in the circle, ultimately taking control of the match. Goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon remarked, “Look, it was a team effort… getting together and playing as a team.”
Ireland faced Korea and managed to secure a 2-0 win despite a strong defensive performance from their opponent. The turning point came when Sarah Torrans scored the first goal in the 25th minute. In the latter half, Ireland sealed their victory with a deflected shot by Mikayla Power, maintaining their flawless defensive record throughout the group stage. Christina Hamill expressed her joy for the team’s performance, stating, “It feels amazing… three clean sheets is amazing.”
Chile topped Pool B after their notable 3-1 victory over the USA, largely due to their success at penalty corners. The USA struggled after a disallowed penalty corner goal that could have changed the game’s momentum. Maria Maldonado’s score was particularly memorable as it coincided with her 100th match, leading to her saying, “I am very excited… it was a great match. I’m so happy we are in the semi-finals!”
In a tightly contested match, Japan edged out Canada 2-1 after a scoreless first half, benefiting from Canada being down to nine players early in the second half. Following a penalty corner goal from Japan, Canada quickly equalized, but Japan secured the win with a late goal from Hiroka Murayama, who was named player of the match. She shared, “After the first three games, our team is going up and up.”
Now, these teams will advance into the semi-finals, looking to continue their winning momentum. New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, and Japan have demonstrated their skills and capability, setting the stage for thrilling matches ahead. The competition exemplifies the growth and depth of women’s hockey globally, as each team aims for glory in the finals.
In conclusion, the final group stage matches of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup yielded impressive performances from New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, and Japan, each securing their places in the semi-finals. The teams displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, highlighted by important goals and solid defenses. As they prepare for the semi-finals, the tournament reveals the rising prominence of women’s hockey on the international stage.
Original Source: www.fih.hockey
