Germany v. Argentina 1-3 (half-time 0-2)
Argentina all but eliminated Germany while propelling themselves to
the top of Pool B on goal difference with a display of elegance and
power. First half goals from Sofia Maccari and Luciana Aymar put them on
track before Nina Hasselman’s scrambled effort could have made for a
nervy close three minutes from time. But Rocio Sanchez Moccia killed off
any such thoughts within 30 seconds as she danced around Yvonne Frank
and nailed the sealing goal.
From the start, Germany had shown a nervous edge early
on, making a series of uncharacteristic mistakes when passing around the
back four. From one such loose pass, Argentina prospered, firing a
cross that looked innocuous enough initially until Katharina Otte
miscontrolled, under pressure from Sanchez Moccia. The ball slipped
through Yvonne Frank’s legs where Sofia Maccari gleefully smacked into
an open goal for 1-0.
The South Americans duly earned four penalty corners, the last of
which was beautifully finished by Luciana Aymar, using the same trick
that worked against South Africa on the opening day of the tournament,
flipping the ball over the number two runner’s stick and short-hand
hitting home.
Germany’s openings were fleeting, creating panic in the
opposition but never true shooting moments bar Julia Muller’s flashing
drive from a corner which went too high. As the second half wore on and
their situation became more desperate, they eventually found some rhythm
as Jennifer Plass, Kristina Hillman and Lisa Hahn went close in the
final quarter.
Their lifeline came from a corner four minutes from time as the ball
bounced around Florencia Mutio’s pads before Hasselman eventually poked
home. But it was a lifeline of brief hope due to Sanchez Moccia’s
delightful clincher.
(Stephen Findlater)
USA v. New Zealand 2-3 (half-time 2-2)
A Clarissa Eshuis drag-flick five minutes from time
fired New Zealand to a crucial win over USA that keeps them very much
alive in the semi-final hunt. That it took so long for the critical goal
to finally come was a surprise as the kiwis pace and guile up front
should have had them clear earlier but for the goalkeeping exploits of
Amy Swensen.
She saved a glut of chances to keep the US in the hunt, grabbing two
equalisers in the first half to cancel out strikes from Kayla Sharland
and Gemma Flynn. But Eshuis got the only goal of the second half to
claim a third New Zealand win of the campaign. They wasted no time in
establishing a lead, Kayla Sharland sweeping home – via a defender’s
stick – from a penalty corner just 70 seconds in.
Their direct running, especially down the right flank,
was causing all manner of problems with Alicia Punt to the fore. But
they were stunned by the concession of a 17th minute
equaliser as Katie O’Donnell impudently snuck a stick in to flip the
ball over Bianca Russell. The chance appeared to have petered out after
Paige Selenski’s great run but Melody Cooper dallied allowing the
striker to nip in. New Zealand’s lead was restored soon after as another
Sharland shot created havoc, pinballing off a defender to Stacey
Michelsen to volley across goal to Gemma Flynn to tap in. The US argued
danger but the video review denied that avenue.
Amy Swensen kept the US in the tie with saves from Punt and Katie
Glynn while Samantha Harrison swept over a gilt-edge chance. But, once
again, the Americans sucker-punched. First, Michelle Kasold’s strike
just got away from Shannon Taylor a yard out before Claire Laubach
levelled in the 33rd minute. She did not seem to get full
power behind her corner push but it ricocheted off Russell and her
post-woman to dribble over the line.
The second half was equally open with the black sticks
making most of the play after an early flurry from Paige Selenski and
Michelle Kasold. Glynn again drew a fine reactions save from Swensen
while Charlotte Harrison smashed the post from a corner rebound. A third
goal was disallowed on umpire’s referral when Stacey Michelson – twice
sin-binned in the game, too – fired a high reverse which Glynn
redirected into the goal. That touch was deemed dangerous by the video
umpire to keep New Zealand nervy for the closing phases.
But Eshuis came to the rescue from the sixth corner, a key goal to
push her side up to nine points and ahead of Australia on goal
difference.
(Stephen Findlater)
Australia v. South Africa 1-0 (half-time 1-0)
Australia continued its ascent in the standings and
kept its hopes alive for a semi-final berth after earning a 1-0 win
against South Africa in today’s first game in the highly competitive
Pool B. After dropping their first game, the Hockeyroos have won three
in a row and are part of a four-team traffic jam along with New Zealand,
Argentina and Germany that are fighting for two semi-finals places.
Australia dominated the first 10 minutes of action with two penalty
corner chances and many more scoring opportunities. They took the 1-0
lead eight minutes in when Casey Eastham, making her 150th appearance
for Australia, and Jade close out-ran the South Africa defense give
Eastham the chance to thread a perfectly-timed pass to Close, who easily
finished the play.
But after the goal, South Africa perked up and
Australia got a bit complacent. The South Africans had ample opportunity
to tie things up, but ultimately had to settle for the one-goal deficit
at the break.
South Africa played some of its best hockey of the tournament in the
second half and had the Australians scrambling to hold onto the lead.
Despite some great chances, including camping out in front of the Aussie
net the last 10 minutes, the South Africans could not solve the
outstanding efforts of goalkeeper Toni Cronk, who led her team to the
eventual 1-0 win.
With four losses in four outings, South Africa’s goal is to play for a respectable final placement.
