South Africa Men Open World Cup Second Phase With Victory

Giant killers South Africa opened their second-phase campaign in the men’s FIH Hockey World Cup with a 3-1 victory over France, while the South African women played to a 1-1 draw with Japan in the classification round for ninth through 16th places.

The second-phase matches delivered competitive hockey, with Chile taking an early lead against England before succumbing to sustained pressure in a 4-1 defeat. Chile has produced several spirited performances during the tournament, including an entertaining 4-4 draw against Australia.

In another men’s match, Ireland defeated Malaysia 7-4.

In the women’s competition, the match between 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist China and Australia was expected to be closely contested. China had previously dropped a point in a 2-2 draw against a determined Indian side.

India also advanced to the second phase after holding England to a scoreless draw, the tournament’s only goalless match so far.

Against Australia, China took the lead through Ying Zhang in the 39th minute. Australia pressed for an equalizer, but the Chinese defense remained resolute.

Courtney Schonell eventually drew Australia level by converting a penalty stroke in the 50th minute. The match ended 1-1.

In the final round of group matches a day earlier, late goals, standout performances, hard-fought draws and several surprises produced a dramatic day of competition.

Belgium’s women secured a 2-1 victory over Ireland after surviving a strong challenge. Charlotte Beggs gave Ireland the lead from a penalty corner in the 13th minute.

Although Belgium dominated in several areas, it struggled to find the net. Needing only a draw to advance, Belgium finally equalized in the 49th minute when Charlotte Englebert struck into the bottom-left corner. Ambre Ballenghien scored the winner with 43 seconds remaining, sending Belgium to the top of Pool C.

In the other Pool C match, Patricia Alvarez scored a hat trick as Spain defeated New Zealand 3-0 and advanced to the next round as one of the pool’s top two teams.

Spain controlled much of the first half but could not break through New Zealand’s defense. Alvarez opened the scoring in the 40th minute, squeezing a shot from open play under the goalkeeper.

Play was briefly suspended when heavy rain swept through Wavre, but Spain regained control after the teams returned to the field. Alvarez lifted her second goal into the net in the 55th minute before completing her hat trick in the final minute. She tapped the ball into an empty net after New Zealand withdrew its goalkeeper.

Alvarez was named Player of the Match.

“I’m very happy. I’m very proud of the team, the staff, the 20 players at the tournament. I’m very happy, and I’m very ready for the next round,” she said.

India held England to a scoreless draw to advance as the second-place team in Pool D. India needed only one point, while England required a victory to progress.

China had earlier moved to the top of Pool D with a convincing 5-1 victory over South Africa.

Meirong Zou opened the scoring before Paris-Gail Isaacs equalized from a South African penalty corner, scoring only her second international goal.

China quickly regained control through Jiaqi Zhong and Anhui Yu, who converted penalty corners. Yi Chen added a fourth goal from open play early in the final quarter before Zou completed her brace with just over two minutes remaining.

In the men’s tournament, Tomas Domene scored a hat trick as Argentina recovered from an early deficit to defeat New Zealand 7-1. Argentina needed only a point to advance as one of the top two teams in Pool A.

Kane Russell gave New Zealand the lead from a penalty stroke in the 13th minute. Domene equalized, also from the spot, to leave the teams tied at halftime.

Argentina took control in the third quarter. Bautista Capurro put the South Americans ahead before Domene converted a penalty corner for his second goal. Tadeo Marcucci and Nicolas Keenan then extended Argentina’s advantage.

Capurro scored again late in the match, tapping the ball into an empty net after New Zealand withdrew its goalkeeper. Domene completed his hat trick in the final minute to cap Argentina’s dominant victory.

Domene was named Player of the Match.

“I think this was our first objective, to play the second round. We needed a win, and today we showed what we can do as a team. So, happy for the goals, happy for the team, and I think from now is the… start of our tournament,” he said.

Japan frustrated the Netherlands for much of their men’s match, but the Dutch eventually rallied for a 4-1 victory and finished atop Pool A.

Kazumasa Matsumoto stunned the Amsterdam crowd by giving Japan the lead in the eighth minute. The Netherlands responded four minutes later when Thijs van Dam scored the equalizer.

Japan held firm to keep the match tied at halftime and continued to frustrate the Dutch after the break. With 10 minutes remaining, however, Jip Janssen converted a penalty stroke to put the Netherlands ahead.

Tim Reijnders then scored from consecutive penalty corners in the final five minutes to secure the victory.

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