South Africa will play against New Zealand in the final of the BDO Women’s Champions Challenge hockey tournament at Hartleyvale. South Africa overcame a tough challenge from Spain while New Zealand, although losing to Japan, did enough to go through. In both cases the only goal of the game decided the result.
SOUTH AFRICA vs SPAIN
In a pulsating match, South Africa ensured a place in Sunday’s final of the BDO Women’s Champions Challenge 1 Hockey tournament. The hosts prevailed by the only goal against a Spanish team that never gave up fighting.
The hosts seemed nervous at the start, losing possession far too easily. Despite some early attacks from Spain the first chance fell to the tournament’s leading goalscorer, Farah Fredericks after some good work by Lisa-Marie Deetlefs, but her shot hit the upright. Jennifer Wilson was dominating the midfield while captain Marsha Marescia was a terrier in defence. Even so, they had their hands full as Silvia Munoz in particular displayed great skills in setting up attacks. A great run by Kathleen Taylor saw South Africa earn the first penalty corner in the 11th minute but Kate Woods saw her powerful shot saved by Maria Lopez de Eguilaz. Wilson hit the side netting as another corner was awarded.
Constant pressure by the Spaniards saw some cracks opening in the hosts’ defence, and Mariette Rix had to make two good challenges as unmarked Spanish strikers found themselves picking up loose balls in the circle. Nuria Camon, the Spanish skipper, found room for some dangerous runs.
A fine pass from Wilson put Fredericks away only for her to be tripped by Silvia Bonastre just outside the 25 yard line, the Spanish defender being awarded the yellow card for her trouble. SA continued to apply the pressure, even in Spain’s defensive quarter, but were unable to break the defence down. Two sharp chances came to SA in the final minute of the first half but the defence held out.
With the momentum swinging from side to side Munoz just failed to get her stick to a long ball into the circle. Both defences were hard pressed with Tarryn Bright a pillar of strength. But the dam wall had to break eventually, and it did in the 47th minute. Taylor broke away down the right flank and crossed the ball across the goal. Fredericks latched onto the ball and played it back into the goalmouth where Taylor was on hand to force the ball in to the delight of the crowd.
There was no let-up in the action as SA defended their lead. Spain camped in SA’s 25 yard area for the last few minutes but could not find a way past Rix and her green-shirted stalwarts.
South Africa (0) 1 vs Spain 0
Goalscorer:
South Africa: Kathleen Taylor (47th)
NEW ZEALAND vs JAPAN
After a quiet first half, the final match of the day came to life in the second period. Free flowing hockey saw both teams attacking but determined defence kept the scoresheet blank until Kana Nagayama squeezed the ball past New Zealand goalkeeper Bianca Russell with just over a minute left on the clock. Cheered on by an appreciative crowd, Japan’s effort was not enough as they finished behind New Zealand on goal difference in Pool C. The Black Sticks will meet South Africa in the final while Japan will play against Spain for the bronze medal.
New Zealand 0 vs Japan (0) 1
Goalscorer:
Japan: Kana Nagayama (68th)
ITALY vs AZERBAIJAN
A dreary match was enlivened by an exciting last few minutes as italy and Azerbaijan battled to avoid last place in the tournament. Valentina Quaranta opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the 30th minute. It looked as if the score would stay that way until Francesca Zucca followed up after a penalty corner shot hit the upright. Two minutes later Azerbaijan scored their first goal of the tournament when Marina Aliyeva struck, also from a penalty corner. Although the Azerbaijanis attacked desperately in the closing minutes they could not find the equalizer.
Italy (1) 2 vs Azerbaijan (0) 1
Goalscorers:
Italy: Valentina Quaranta (30th), Francesca Zucca (66th)
Azerbaijan: Marina Aliyeva (68th)
