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Seul Ki Cheon’s penalty corner game-winning goal in the 65th minute guides Korea to victory and the 2010 World Cup; as host USA finished in second place and Belgium finished in third.
In front of a large crowd in San Diego, California, USA, Korea and host USA played in the final match of the ATAHolding Qualifier, for first and second place; and most importantly, an at-large bid to the 2010 World Cup in Rosario, Argentina.
From the opening whistle the match was a hard fought battle between two strong teams.
In the first half, Korea held the slight edge in possession and attacking pressure and in the second half it was the USA. The first score came late in the first half off a Jongeun Kim penalty corner goal that put the halftime score at Korea 1, USA nill.
In the second half, a penalty corner goal by USA Captain Carrie Lingo tied the match 1-1 in the 43rd minute.
After tying the match, host USA carried the momentum and attacking pressure for must of the rest of the half.
Seul Ki Cheon’s penalty corner goal in the 65th minute gave Korea the 2-1 lead and also changed the momentum of match. The USA’s Lauren Crandall was awarded a yellow card in the 68th minute.
A minute later, Korea’s Kim notched her second goal of the match off a field goal to make the final score Korea 3, USA 1.
Following the final match, a series of tournament awards were handed out. Top scorer: Sofie Gierts (BEL); Player of the tournament: Mihyun Park (KOR); Best goalkeeper: Amy Tran (USA); Best young player: Anna Kozniuk (CAN) and; Fair play trophy: Mexico (team).
| Day 9 - Saturday | 03-04-2010 09:30 | France | 3 : 1 | Mexico |
| Day 9 - Saturday | 03-04-2010 12:05 | Belgium | 2 : 1 | Canada |
| Day 9 - Saturday | 03-04-2010 14:30 | Korea | 3 : 1 | USA |
Final Positions
1. Korea (Qualified for World Cup in Rosario)
2. USA
3. Belgium
4. Canada
5. France
6. Mexico
KUALA Lumpur will be gunning for their 19th title, while Perak aim to end their 18-year drought in the Division One final of the Razak Cup in Kuantan today.
Perak, who last won the title in 1992 in Terengganu, are the better side on paper, even though KL have six national players on their side.
“I had more time to train the team this year, and the difference is there. We have a well balanced side, and I feel we will finally end our wait in Kuantan tomorrow (today),” said Perak coach Manjit Singh.
Perak’s top-scorer is 21-year-old Junior World Cup player, Noor Khairul Azrain, who has six to his credit after six matches.
As for Kuala Lumpur, they will again rely on national penalty corner flicker Amin Rahim, who has also scored six goals and together with Khairul is in the running for the top scorers award.
KL coach Nor Saiful Zaini feels his players have not been up to the mark, and hopefully they wake up in the final.
“We are in the final, but I am still not happy with the way we played in the last six matches as my players performed in patches.
“Hopefully they get their act together in the final, as Perak have an unbeaten record in this tournament,” said Nor Saiful.
RESULTS: Division Two semi-finals: Singapore 3 Tereng ganu 3 (Singapore win on golden goal), Pahang 4 Police 2.
TODAY: Division One Final: Perak v Kuala Lumpur (8pm), Third-Fourth; Malacca v Johor (5.30pm).
Division Two Final: Singapore v Pahang (3.30pm), Third-Fourth: Terengganu v Police (8am)
Matches at the Kuantan Stadium.
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) finally put to rest the coaching ‘dispute’ when they decided yesterday to forget about their hunt for a foreign coach, and rely on locals until the 2012 London Olympics.
And the chosen one is Stephen van Huizen, with Tai Beng Hai assisting him.
“I would like to put to rest the issue about coaching by saying that the MHF council had endorsed Stephen as chief coach and Beng Hai as his assistant until the London Olympics.
“We will no longer look for a foreign coach until that period,” said MHF president Tunku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah after the council meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The foreigner on MHF’s mind was Netherlands Roelant Oltmans, but he already has a two year contract with a Dutch clubside.
“This two coaches will handle the team for the Azlan Shah Cup next month, and then the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
“And what we are looking is to improve our world ranking. We were 16th before the World Cup Qualifier last year and after reaching the final, we have been elevated to 14th.
“It is a good step towards achieving our target of breaking into the top-ten in the world,” said Tengku Abdullah.
There was a hectic discussion on the coaching committee’s role in MHF, as many felt that it had the absolute power to appoint coaches, while others felt it only had the right to nominate names for the council to decide on.
“We will amend the MHF constitution soon to clear some grey areas so that the daily running and responsibilities of the various committees will be more clearly defined,” said Tengku Abdullah.
Meanwhile, SM Teknik Klang pulled out of the JUnior Hockey League (JHL) starting on April 9, and now there will be nine teams in Division One and Nine in Division Two.
The national women’s team will be playing in Division One for the first time, and if they win the title, they will be eligible for the prize money as well.
The National Sports Council and Milo are the core sponsors for the JHL.
Third place: BELGIUM
Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Amy Tran (USA)
Best young player of the tournament: Anna Kozniuk (Canada)
Fair play award: Mexico
KOREAN Girls celebrate with their coach after winning the Hockey World Cup Qualifier in San Diego. Korea beat US 3-1 in the final.
