The climax of the tournament was upon us and we early awaited the start of the days play. First up in matches today: Austria takes on Wales. Neither team have reached their potential in this Tournament and at times struggled against the pace and secure execution of the better teams. Wales however, would want to finish on a high, and want to go home with their first win. Austria will want to continue the momentum that they begun to create in the latter stages of the Tournament.
In a less than predicted match up on Day Six sees China play Scotland in a game where Scotland would consider themselves a chance and beating China, after China has had a couple of late losses against New Zealand and Malaysia yesterday.
The game that everyone has been waiting: The Final of this Tournament, New Zealand against Malaysia for the 11th place at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in New Delhi, February 2010.
Match Sixteen - Austria v Wales: 3:2
A titanic battle first up on Day 6 and Austria played Wales. Austria had the better start in this game but failed to get on the scoreboard. Likewise with Wales not troubling the scorers and team were deadlocked at the break.
However it was Wales, the lower ranked team that came out firing in the second half and scored two quick goals, both from the field to Benjamin CROXALL and Captain Matthew RUXTON in the 39th and 41st minute.
Austria fought back with greater intensity with three goals in the second half; 42nd, 54th, 61st minute, two to Georg JELINEK and Michael KORPER all from the field to take the win and fifth place.
Match Seventeen - China v Scotland: 2:2 (5-7 aps)
What an amazing game of hockey this was and even after 85 minutes nothing separated the teams. However, Scotland opened the scoring in the 18th minute through and field goal to Wei ADAMS.
In sensational fashion, that was matched two minutes later through penalty corner conversion to Yixian LIU.
Once again, Scotland fought back and was rewarded in the 24 minute; Kenneth BAIN scoring a field goal sending the remainding team members wild!
Scotland thus going to the break with a well deserved lead!
Second half was very much even but China levelled just into the break, a 38th penalty corner goal.
Scotland looked the better of the teams at this stage and were very unlucky not to get a late goal. But the shot went agonisingly wide.
Full time came with the scores locked at 2-2, we headed for golden goal extra time. Teams had few chances but neither could take the golden goal.
A penalty stroke competition woudl decide the 3v4 place at the BDO World Cup Qualifier.
Scotland went first and was successful; as was the Chinese. On the third stroke attempt the pressure was too much for Tianjun SUN whose feeble stroke was easily saved by Allan DICK in goal for Scotland.
That was the opening for Scotland who nailed the next two strokes to claim third place!
Match Eighteen - New Zealand v Malaysia: 2:1 (0:1)
So we were now down to two in this Tournament.
New Zealand looked very sluggish from the start and they were often pressured by the speed of the Malaysians.
Malaysia also pressing forward and having the better goal scoring opportunities; it was Malaysia who would take full advantage. Malaysia were awarded a 18th minute penalty corner and Mohammed RAHIM drove the ball in which was a well working variation at the setplay.
Malaysia continued to put the hosts under pressure and remained resolute, going to the break with a one goal lead.
New Zealand needed a star turn to step up in the second and that was to be the case, but it would be some time before that would playout.
Being down, New Zealand and with a big hill to climb had the chance to lock it up in the 57th minute. After a succession of penalty corners and a green card to a Malaysian who persistenty broke early at the PC, Andy HAYWARD sent a shell rocketing to the back of the goal, locking up the score.
With the heads up in the New Zealand camp, and new life in the attack, possession swung to the New Zealanders and they camped deep in the opposition half.
Once again, for a danger situation in the circle, New Zealand were awarded another PC. HAYWARD again stepping up the have the attempt.
In a similar fashion, HAYWARD converted the penalty corner chance with and shell from his traditional drag flick, low to the right.
With ten minutes to go and with the Malaysians now those with a mountain to climb, New Zealand kept the ball and using a forward press, kept the Malaysians in their half.
With time almost up on the clock New Zealand sensed the win; the final hooter going to confirm the 2-1 win for New Zealand, coming back from a 0-1 deficit in the first half to take the eleventh position at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010.
BDO World Cup Qualifier, Men - Invercargill, New Zealand
Results Day 6: Sunday 15 November 2009
Austria v Wales 3:2 (0:0)
WAL 39mn Benjamin CROXALL (FG) 0:1
WAL 41mn Matthew RUXTON (FG) 0:2
AUT 42mn Georg JELINEK (FG) 1:2
AUT 54mn Georg JELINEK (FG) 2:2
AUT 61mn Michael KORPER (FG) 3:2
China v Scotland 2:2 (3-5 aps) (1:2)
SCO 18mn Stephen DICK (FG) 0:1
CHN 20mn Yixian LIU (PC) 1:1
SCO 24mn Kenneth BAIN (FG) 1:2
CHN 38mn Fenghui LU (PC) 2:2
New Zealand v Malaysia 2:1 (0:1)
MAS 18mn Muhammad RAHIM (PC) 0:1
NZL 57mn Andy HAYWARD (PC) 1:1
NZL 60mn Andy HAYWARD (PC) 2:1
