Germany 3 defeat New Zealand 0
Goals: GER – Natascha KELLER FG 16m, Fanny RINNE PC 44m, Kerstin HOYER FG 69m.
Germany continued their good form as they cruised to victory over New Zealand, in a match which called on the use of the video umpire for the very first time.
The first half began with some excellent play from both teams, and New Zealand were arguably the better side until a magnificent reverse stick strike from Natascha KELLER gave Germany the lead in the 16th minute. The video umpire was called to check that KELLER’s strike was inside the circle, who subsequently confirmed the goal. New Zealand struggled to regain the initiative, and Germany could have scored on at least two other occasions before the end of the half.
If Germany just had the upper hand in the first half, they were clearly the better team in the second period. Fanny RINNE scored from well taken penalty corner, and Germany grabbed a third with ony one minute left to play through Kerstin HOYER, after New Zealand keeper Beth JURGELEIT failed to clear.
Germany move onto nine points in the league table, and are looking good for a top two finish and a place in the final.
Argentina 3 defeat Australia 2
Goals: ARG: Soledad GARCIA FG 42m, Maria De La Paz HERNANDEZ PC 50m, Luciana AYMAR PC 70m; AUS: Karen SMITH FG 8m, Nikki HUDSON FG 44m
Argentina’s Luciana AYMAR scored an overtime penalty corner winner in a thrilling encounter against Australia. The result puts the South Americans onto six points in the tournament, while Australia will have to play in the 5th/6th place play-off for the first time in Champions Trophy history.
The first half was excellent for the spectator, but not for the hearts of the respective coaches, with both teams guilty of basic errors. Australia got the scoring underway through Karen SMITH, who tapped into an empty goal after receiving a pass from Nikki HUDSON in the 8th minute. Argentina produced some good attacks on the Australian goal, but they could not find the finishing touch to even up the scores.
Seven minutes into the second half the game burst into life, when two goals arrived in just over a minute. Argentina scored an equaliser through Soledad GARCIA, who coolly dribbled past Australia keeper Rachel IMISON, before Nikki HUDSON put the Aussies back in front moments later. However, Argentina were clearly the better team in the second half, and despite resilient Australia defending, the goals always seemed likely. Maria HERNANDEZ forced the ball over the line to equalise, and Luciana AYMAR scored with the last flick of the game, condemning Australia to defeat.
Netherlands 1 draw with China 1
Goals: CHN – LI Hong Xia FG 37m; NED – Maartje PAUMEN PC 48m.
Another packed stadium saw China put in a battling performance against The Netherlands. The home side were on top for the last fifteen minutes of the match but could not make the most of the good chances they created.
Despite the Netherlands having the majority of possession, China certainly had the more clear-cut chances of the first half, including a two goal-mouth scrambles and hitting a post.
China controlled the start of the second half, and took advantage of a Netherlands team that looked as though they were mentally still in the dressing room. LI Hong Xia smashed in a rebound after GAO Li Hua’s excellent close control created a chance out of nothing. The home crowd went very quiet, and China went hunting for a second goal. However, The Netherlands worked hard to get back into the game and Maartje PAUMEN scored yet another penalty corner – her third of the tournament. After the equaliser The Netherlands looked like the likely winners of the match, with Miek VAN GEENHUIZEN in particular showing moments of brilliance down the left to create a number of chances. However, the goal never came and the points were shared.
