Fine weather greeted the teams on Day Five and there was a buzz around the ground. First up in matches today the UK derby between Scotland and Wales where no team would hold back. Wales searching for their first win of the Tournament. New Zealand was expected to beat Austria but would always be up for a tough game. In the final game of the day, doubled as an unofficial semi-final for China and Malaysia to determine who would face New Zealand in the final tomorrow.
Match Thirteen - Scotland v Wales: 2:1
Scotland started on fire in the opening game to Day Five in the BDO World Cup Qualifier. Scotland had the early dominance and territorial advantage but failed to convert on the scoring opportunities that they had created. There were several near misses and on occasions the final pass also going astray.
However, neither team troubled the scorer in the first half.
After a stern talking to by Russell GARCIA (the Scottish Coach), Scotland broke the deadlock early in the second half with a field goal to the ever reliable Stephen DICK.
Immediately the game increased in tempo and Wales stung by the early second half setback went looking for chances to hit back. Their efforts in the interim were in vain.
Scotland extended the lead in the 51st minute when Mark RALPH netted a great penalty corner.
Once again that fired Wales into action and the game went up another gear. Wales this time rewarded in the 56th minute when they were awarded a penalty corner, converted by Rufus NCNAUGHT-BARRINGTON.
The final ten minutes was frenetic and Wales threw everything at the Scottish, to snatch a draw and gain their first competition point; while Scotland wanted the win to gain a third-fourth playoff game.
Just minutes before full time, Wales had the chance to draw level with a penalty corner, but Allan DICK made a great save in goal for Scotland, denying Wales the chance of a draw.
That was to be the final score! Wales remain on the bottom of the table, and Scotland not jump ahead on the table, gaining three invaluable competition points.
Match Fourteen - New Zealand v Austria: 4:0
New Zealand was expected to beat Austria but they were in for a sturdy battle.
New Zealand opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Captain Phil BURROWS scored a goal from open play. It took a while for that lead to be extended but it was in the 24th minute: Simon CHILD scoring in similar fashion from the field.
Moments later after a goalmouth melee, New Zealand's Priyesh BHANA tapped in the ball to go to the break with a three goal buffer.
With the game seemingly won, New Zealand perhaps let the foot of the pedal, but Austria also had lifted their game.
Austria denying New Zealand scoring any further goals until late in the game, 67th minute when Simon CHILD netted a field goal.
It was the win New Zealand were after but they were made to fight hard especially in the second half. That will bid them well in tomorrow's final against yet to be found opponents.
After the game, Austrian Coach Frank HANEL said that he was ÔÇ£extremely proud of the way his team played in the second half against the class of New Zealand. We will take a lot out of this game back to Austria and will work on what they learned from this game.ÔÇØ
Match Fifteen - China v Malaysia: 0:3
Malaysia has struggled at times during this tournament especially late in their other games, but the unpredictability of the Malaysians was felt in a big way from China today.
Malaysia looked sharp from the start and that was matched by the Chinese. However, once teams had settled into their match plan, the attack was countered by solid defence. Teams went to the break still at a deadlock.
Second half began with a mammoth increase in tempo and the crowd witnessed an amazing start by Malaysia.
Two quick goals in the 37th and 38th minute stunned China and the crowd! Both scored by field goals to Kevinder SINGH and Tengku JALIL respectively.
China, stunned by the early onslaught never regained composure and often made mistakes at the wrong period and part of the field.
Malaysia completed the win with a goal to Nabil NOR in the 51st minute and by now, China had all but conceded to the loss.
China were most disappointed with their performance in the second half and made no excuses. Malaysia would now look forward to a titanic battle against host nation New Zealand tomorrow in the final.
With the Round Robin phase now complete, we now sit back and await Day Six action. The ever-improving Austrians up against Wales who will want to finish on a high after their first win. In an unlikely match up, China will take on Scotland.
The Final of the BDO World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill, New Zealand will be played between hosts, New Zealand and Malaysia. It promises to be a tight and physical battle as we will find the eleventh nation to qualify for the Hero Honda World Cup in Delhi 2010.
BDO World Cup Qualifier, Men - Invercargill, New Zealand
Results Day 5: Saturday 14 November 2009
Scotland v Wales 2:1 (0:0)
SCO 37mn Stephen DICK (FG) 1:0
SCO 51mn Mark RALPH (PC) 2:0
WAL 56mn Rufus MCNAUGHT-BARRINGTON (PC) 2:1
New Zealand v Austria 4:0 (3:0)
NZL 8mn Phil BURROWS (FG) 1:0
NZL 24mn Simon CHILD (FG) 2:0
NZL 29mn Priyesh BHANA (FG) 3:0
NZL 67mn Simon CHILD (FG) 4:0
China v Malaysia 0:3 (0:0)
MAS 37mn Kevinder SINGH (FG) 0:1
MAS 38mn Tengku JALIL (FG) 0:2
MAS 51mn Nabil NOR (FG) 0:3
