Pool A: GBR v CHN 2-0: ARG v ESP 2-2
Pool B: USA v IRL 0-2: RSA v GER 0-0
Ireland upset hockey world order with a 2-0 win over the world number five side USA to take top spot in Pool B, while South Africa kept their Olympic qualification hopes alive with a gutsy 0-0 against Germany. In Pool A, Great Britain continued their unbeaten progress with a 2-0 win over China, while Spain and Argentina played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, meaning the hosts will face European rivals Germany in the quarter-finals.
In the other quarter-finals, Ireland will face China, South Africa will play against Great Britain and the final quarter-final spot is an all Pan-Am affair between USA and Argentina. It was a smash and grab performance by the Irish, built on a huge defensive effort as the USA won eight corners and drew a series of last ditch tackles from a gutsy Irish defence.
Ireland's goals were scored by Megan Frazer and Anna O’Flanagan With the few attacks Ireland had, they showed real menace. Frazer served notice of her intent with one backhand that was tipped around the post by Jackie Briggs before she opened the scoring. Gillian Pinder set it up with a neat turn before laying it into her captain’s path and she pinged home a low finish.
USA dominated the play thereafter. They had already seen a couple of chances well saved – including one from Melissa Gonzalez spectacularly batted away by Cliodhna Sargent. The second half was one-way traffic with the USA corner count mounting but Rachel Dawson and Lauren Crandall were stumped either by the helmet of Emma Gray or the diving blocks of Yvonne O’Byrne and Anna O’Flanagan.
Ireland secured the game when O’Flanagan swept home the second goal to secure Ireland's third win of the tournament.
Rachel Dawson, central midfielder for USA remained upbeat: "Although that wasn't the result we were looking for, we will go back to the drawing board. Scoring was a problem today, we had all the pressure in the attacking third for most of the last quarter but we didn't get the outcome."
Cliodhna Sargent of Ireland, said: “We knew we needed a huge performance to get a result against really tough opponents. They are really fit, really fast. We knew we had to play equally as hard to get a result.
“When it comes towards the end of the day, you are willing to do everything you can to keep the ball out of the goal. Putting your body on the line is the least you can do.”
Germany and South Africa played out the first goal-less draw of the competition to see the sides finish second and fourth, respectively, with South Africa doing what they needed to nail down a knock-out place. It was a tight-knit affair, with precious little between the teams as South Africa upped their performance.
Dirkie Chamberlain, speaking after the game said: "I don't know why, but it takes us getting to the end of the line before people really get stuck in. We knew we had to win today, so we played really well and stuck to our plan for the whole game. Now, we have another must-win game (against Great Britain)".
Sanani Mangisa was one of the heroes of the match. The South African goalkeeper made a fine pair of early saves from a corner barrage, and then made an excellent low stop from Hannah Kruger’s ripped flick from the top inside the last four minutes. Shelley Russell drew the best from Kristina Reynolds, while Lilian du Plessis had a low drag-flick kicked away and another blocked by the towering German keeper.
The result means South Africa advance to the last eight at the expense of Uruguay and will face Great Britain. Unbeaten Germany finish second in the group behind Ireland with USA in third place.
Sanani Mangisa (RSA) said: “It was an improved performance from us, doing enough to get into the quarter-finals. The tournament starts now and all focus switches to GB. It should be a good game. I am really proud of the girls; we stuck to our defensive principles and kept Germany out.
“My form has been up and down; the first game I was a bit off but I have made some improvements and I knew I had to keep the team in it today. Thankfully, I kept them out and made the simple saves.
Looking to the quarter finals, Mangisa added: “Great Britain have been good defensively. I have been impressed with the clean sheets they have kept but we will work out something to have up our sleeve when we face them.”
Earlier in the day, Great Britain made it four wins from four as they scored in the first and last four minutes of the game to get the better of China 2-0. It guarantees they top Pool A with a perfect record, to set up a quarter-final clash with South Africa, while China will face Pool B winners Ireland.
It was a game in which Great Britain scored at either end of time, and looked comfortable for long periods in between. Four minutes into the game, Alex Danson raced to the baseline before picking out Sophie Bray who scored her fourth goal of the tournament.
China started to force the tempo in the fourth quarter, winning two penalty corners. The second drew an excellent stop from Maddie Hinch to deny Wang Mengyu. The killer moment came three minutes from the end as Kate Richardson-Walsh picked out a delightful passing line through to Bray who dodged right and slipped the ball past the Chinese goalkeeper.
Maddie Hinch, Great Britain's goalkeeper, said: “Today was a big game for us with a win or draw keeping us top and giving us a more favourable draw for the big game on Thursday. To put in such a professional, diligent performance was so good to see. It shows how big strides we made.
“It can be quite hard for a keeper when you are not that busy but I know Danny Kerry would be making sure I stay switched on. I did and was pleased to make a couple of key saves in the final quarter."
Ma Wei of China said: "We are improving with every game, but we have team meetings where we discuss what we need to work on. We must definitely improve our scoring because Great Britain only created a few chances but took them."
The final match of the day was a thrilling encounter between 15th-ranked Spain and the third-ranked team Argentina. Christina Guinea gave Spain the dream start with a well taken goal in the fifth minute.
As expected, Argentina fought back immediately. Macarena Rodriguez Perez flipped a bouncing ball into the goal moments before half-time for 1-1 and then the Champions Trophy holders took the lead seven minutes from the end when Josefina Gomes Fantasia’s low drag-flick evaded the clutches of Maria Ruiz.
However, the home crowd were in for a treat, when Carlota Petchame scored 27 seconds from time to earn Spain a 2-2 draw. Ultimately, the result favoured the South Americans who ended Pool A second with the hosts in third.
Speaking after the match, Macarena Rodriguez Perez, said: “We were really motivated playing against Spain, the local team. But we had great fans here too; everywhere the Argentinian fans go, they are really animated and really supportive which is really enjoyable to play in front of. We play the game for them.
In reference to the forthcoming encounter with the USA, she added: "It’s a great rivalry, like the classico of Pan-America. It will be tough and physical match but we are going to play hard and enjoy the occasion.”
