Australia (5th), New Zealand (7th) and India (9th) were all winners on the penultimate day of action at the 2010 BDO FIH World Cup in Rosario, Argentina.
The Hockeyroos had defender Nicole ARROLD to thank for their 2-1 win over Korea in the 5-6 Classification match, with the brilliant defender hitting a 68th minute winner from a penalty corner to ensure that her side ended the tournament on a high.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand powered past China 3-0 to claim 7th place, which, like Australia, matched their world ranking. Field goals from Krystal FORGESSON - her sixth of the tournament, Charlotte HARRISON and a penalty corner from Clarissa ESHUIS condemned the Olmypic Silver Medallists to an eight place finish in the tournament.
India were also winners on Friday, edging past South Africa 4-3 in a hugely entertaining fixture to decide 9th and 10th positions. Teenage scoring sensation Rani RAMPAL scored twice to take her tournament to seven and in the process helping India to their best finish at a World Cup since 1978.
More on all of these matches can be found below.
Saturday sees the grand finale of the 2010 BDO FIH World Cup, and it is likely to be a sizzling occasion. Another sell-out crowd of over 12,000 people will attend the Gold and Bronze medal play-off matches, creating a sensational atmosphere within the stadium. Germany and England - the two defeated Semi Finalists - will go head to head at 16.30 (local time - GMT -3), with the Bronze medal going to the winner. Then, at 19.30, Luciana AYMAR's Argentina will aim to thrill their fans by winning the World Cup on home soil against reigning World and Olympic champions The Netherlands. It promises to be a truly sensational match, and one which you can follow via the FIH microsite (www.bdofihworldcup2010.sportcentric.com) and on the free live match stream (http://www.laola1.tv/en/int/worldhockey/video/206--.html). Be sure not to miss out.
Hockeyroos grab fifth thanks to late Arrold strike
A late penalty corner strike from star defender Nicole ARROLD gave Australia victory over Korea in the 5-6 classification match here at the BDO FIH World Cup in Rosario, Argentina. Korea opened the scoring thanks to a brilliant field goal from KIM Young Ran, before penalty corners two minutes from the end of each half from Casey EASTHAM and ARROLD sealed fifth place for the Hockeyroos.
When a heavy rainstorm in the build up to the match left a lot of water on the field, it was clear to everyone that it might be a tricky game for the players. Despite the difficult conditions, Australia started the match in good form, controlling the early stages of the match and dealing well with high-paced Korean counter-attacks. However, as the half progressed Korea began to dictate the tempo of the match and looked particularly threatening going forward. Even a Green Card two minute suspension for KIM Bo Mi for a poor tackle on Australia captain Madonna BLYTH did not change the nature of the game as Korea continued to play determined, attacking hockey. In fact, Korea took the lead with KIM still off the field, when KIM Young Ran flicked the ball over the stick of defender Kobie McGURK before firing a ferocious half-volley into the bottom left corner of the Australian goal to give her team a 1-0 lead.
Megan RIVERS came close to levelling the scores for the Hockeyroos when she received the ball unmarked on the left of the circle, but Korea goalkeeper MOON Youngh Hui pulled off a superb save with her leg as the Australian attempted to flick the ball into the right corner of the net. It was a sign of things to come, as Australia began to find holes in the Korean defence. Australia grabbed an equaliser in the 33rd minute of the match when a penalty corner routine was slipped left to Casey EASTHAM who virtually had an open goal in which to place the ball.
Korea almost re-established the lead at the end of the first half when PARK Mi Hyun found herself in space deep in the Australia circle, but failed to make contact with the ball when trying to deflect a cross towards the target.
The two teams continued to trade blows in the second half, with both goalkeepers pulling off great saves to keep the scores level. However, the game really opened up in the final 15 minutes as both sides went for the victory.
Australia had the ball in the Korean net with 13 minutes of the match remaining, but a smart video referral from Korea discovered a foot foul to rule out the strike. Australia used the video umpire to their own advantage moments later when they overturned a Korean penalty corner, before winning what proved to be a decisive penalty corner of their own just two minutes from the end of the match. Nicole ARROLD - who performed brilliantly throughout the match in the Australia defence - drilled a hard and low shot against the back-board to finally kill off the Korean challenge.
Match 36 - Final 5-6: Australia v Korea 2-1
> Australia finished fifth, one place above their worst rank ever at a World Cup (sixth in 1986).
> Australia have scored 15 goals at Rosario 2010. Only Netherlands (25) and Argentina (14) have scored more so far.
> Korea finished 6th, which is five places higher than their current World ranking (11th).
> Both teams have qualified for the 2011 Champions Trophy.
> Kim Young-Ran opened the score by netting her third goal of the tournament. As a result Kim Young-Ran became top goal scorer for Korea at Rosario 2010.
> Casey Eastham became the third Australian to score off a penalty corner this tournament, joining Kobie McGurk (2 PC) and Nicole Arrold (3 PC). Eastham is now on a total of 2 goals at Rosario 2010 (1FG, 1 PC).
> Korea finished sixth like they did in 2002. Four years ago they were ninth.
> Australia have converted 6 of 19 penalty corners awarded at Rosario.
> Korea did not get any PC's in this match, so their Rosario 2010 penalty corner record remains at 3 for 12.
China defeated as Black Sticks take Seventh
New Zealand have claimed seventh place in the BDO FIH World Cup 2010 thanks to a 3-0 win over Olympic Silver Medallists China. Field goals from Krystal FORGESSON - her sixth of the tournament, Charlotte HARRISON and a penalty corner from Clarissa ESHUIS ensured that The Black Sticks ended their tournament on a high. The result meant that China finished in eight place, which equals the lowest rank for an Olympic finalist at the following world cup.
China fell behind after just two minutes when Krystal FORGESSON smashed home a powerful strike from the top of the circle. New Zealand were very much the better side in the opening stages of the match, and fully deserved to extend their advantage when Charlotte HARRISON dived at full stretch to force the ball into an empty net following excellent build-up play from Anna THORPE and Katie GLYNN. China almost pulled a goal back when GAO Lihua fired into the goalkeeper from the right of the circle, before ZHOU Yudio failed to control a cross from the right with only the keeper to beat.
ZHOU's game went from bad to worse at the start of the second half when she was given a Green Card two minute suspension for disputing an umpiring decision, putting the initiative firmly back in the hands of New Zealand. The Black Sticks continued to look dangerous, and won the first of three penalty corners when Stacey MICHELSEN beat four China players before drawing a foul in the circle. Sadly for New Zealand, they failed to take any of those golden scoring opportunities, keeping China well in the game.
FU Baorong had two shots on goal in quick succession, but New Zealand's stand-in goalkeeper Bianca RUSSELL made comfortable saves to deny the China star. The Black Sticks almost extended their advantage when siblings Samantha and Charlotte HARRISON linked well to create an opening, but a last ditch challenge from the China defence cleared the danger. RUSSELL made a superb save with her right glove to deny a penalty corner flick from MA Yibo in the 64th minute, and two minutes later New Zealand won a penalty corner of their own which was slung into the net via the left post from Clarissa ESHUIS. It was ESHUIS's first goal of the tournament, and one which sealed a seventh place finish for the Black Sticks at the BDO FIH World Cup.
Match 35 - Final 7-8: New Zealand v China 3-0
> New Zealand matched their 7th place at the World ranking by finishing seventh at the BDO FIH World Cup in Rosario.
> This is the Kiwi's best result at an Olympic or World Cup tournament since finishing sixth at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
> China finished eighth to equal the lowest rank for an Olympic finalist at the next World Cup.
> China have now failed to score in 3 matches at Rosario 2010, losing 1-0 to England, 2-0 to Argentina and 3-0 to New Zealand.
> Krystal Forgesson (NZL) finished Rosario 2010 on 6 goals. NZL scored 12 in total.
> Charlotte Harrison (NZL) scored against China like she did in both Champions Trophy matches against China in July 2010.
> Clarissa Eshuis handed NZL a 3-0 win by scoring off a penalty corner.
> New Zealand finished Rosario 2010 on 2 penalty corner goals from 22 awarded (9%).
> China have scored 5 of 20 penalty corners (25%).
Rampal double secures 9th place for India
Teenage goal-scoring sensation Rani RAMPAL scored her sixth and seventh goals of the tournament as India defeated South Africa 4-3 in an exciting 9th-10th classification match here in Rosario, Argentina. The result confirmed a ninth place finish for India at this year's BDO FIH World Cup, which is their best finish at a World Cup event since achieving 7th place in 1978.
The match started in furious fashion, with South Africa going on the offensive from the very first whistle. India managed to hold out for no longer than three minutes, when Lesley Ann GEORGE gave South Africa a deserved lead by slamming home a loose ball with an accurate slap-shot.
India regrouped after the goal and began to look threatening on the counter attack. In the ninth minute of the match, 15-year-old Rani RAMPAL brilliantly deflected a penalty corner strike over stricken South Africa keeper Hanli HATTINGH to tie the scores. RAMPAL was at it again less than 60 seconds later, this time scoring a stunning reverse stick strike from the left of the circle which flew into the bottom right corner of the South African goal. Thanks to her performances at this tournament, RAMPAL has certainly marked herself as a player with an exceptionally bright future in international hockey.
Despite the Indian fight-back, South Africa were far from out of the contest and through Pietee COETZEE, Sulette DAMONS and Vida RYAN always looked dangerous going forward. South Africa brought themselves level once again when RYAN smartly deflected a cross from the right into the Indian goal, completing the scoring for the half.
The second period began in much the same manner as the first, as both teams continued to play with speed and intensity that you rarely find in a 9th-10th place Classification match. India sneaked ahead once again when Saba ANJUM got a crucial touch on a penalty corner strike from the top, sending her deflection past the helpless HATTNIGH and into the net.
The killer blow arrived in the 56th minute, when Jasjeet Kaur HANDA created space for herself before firing a low drive into the bottom right corner to make the score 4-2. The ever-reliable goal source that is Pietee COETZEE netted a penalty corner to reduce the deficit with 12 minutes of the match remaining, setting up a tense and exciting final spell.
South Africa thought that they had equalised when Dirkie CHAMBERLAIN volleyed spectacularly into the Indian net from a Pietee COETZEE cross, but the goal was ruled out by a video umpire referral which adjudged CHAMBERLAIN's shot to have been above shoulder height. It proved to be a significant moment, with India defending well in the final seconds to secure the victory.
Match 34 - Final 9-10: India v South Africa 4-3
> By finishing 9th, India recorded their best World Cup rank in 32 years, since finishing 7th in 1978.
> 10th place is South Africa's best World Cup rank in 12 years since finishing 7th in 1998.
> Pietie Coetzee reached a milestone by netting her 20th World Cup goal (in 3 World Cup tournaments).
> Lesle-Ann George's opening goal in the third minute was the second fastest goal for South Africa this tournament after Sulette Damons's second minute goal against Korea.
> Vida Ryan scored her second goal of the tournament, she also netted against Argentina.
> India's Rani Rampal finished on 7 goals by scoring twice in 1 minute. She also scored two goals against Australia on 1 September.
> At the 2006 World Cup India's top goalscorer Surinder Kaur scored 5 goals.
> Saba Anjum (IND) scored her first goal at Rosario 2010 and her second WC career goal. She also scored once at the 2006 World Cup against Spain.
