Sports Bulletin Report
Pretoria (South Africa): History was made by the USA men and South African women as they secured their first-ever semifinal spots at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Pretoria, South Africa.
After a thrilling day of quarterfinal clashes, the final four places were determined with defending champions Austria up against Iran while the Netherlands will take on the USA for a spot in the men’s final.
2018 bronze medallists Iran earned their semifinal spot in dramatic fashion, coming from 0-3 down in the third quarter to beat eighth-ranked Belgium in a shootout. The Iranians managed to level the scores at 5-5 in the 37th minute and it then took an incredible 18 shots to decide the winners in the subsequent shootout.
Austria were next to secure their safe passage through to the final four with a 2-0 victory over Argentina, but it wasn’t until well into the third quarter that they first found the back of the net.
Meanwhile, both the USA and Namibia were looking to extend their history-making runs at the World Cup – with the quarterfinals being unchartered territory for both teams.
It was the Americans who had the edge. Namibia scored in the final minute of the match, but it was not enough to prevent a 3-2 win for the USA.
The Dutch were in rampant mood against hosts South Africa in the last men’s quarterfinal. The 2015 world champions racked up a 5-0 lead by half time. The home side suddenly came alive in the final quarter, scoring three goals of their own. But when the Dutch added another one to their own tally, the fightback fizzled out.
In the women’s tournament, the Czech Republic were the first side to book their place in the semifinals with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Australia.
Both Belgium and South Africa were seeking their first-ever appearances in the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup semifinals when they met in the third women’s quarterfinal of the day.
It was the host nation who benefited from the backing of a fervent home crowd to produce their best World Cup result to date. A goal from South African captain Jess O’Connor off a penalty corner edged her side in front and Tegan Fourie doubled their lead just before halftime. But the Belgians came back through a final-quarter goal, and they were a nervous final few minutes until the 2-1 home win was secured.
In the final matchup of the day, it took 15 minutes for the Netherlands to breach the Canadian defence. But two hattricks, from Lieke van Wijk and Donja Zwinkels, steered the two-time world champions to a resounding 6-1 victory.
The Dutch will take on South Africa in Saturday’s semifinals while Austria will play the Czech Republic.
Results (Men’s Event):
Iran 5 (6) – 5 (5) Belgium
Player of the match: Reza Norouzzadeh (IRI)
Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Adam Barry (AUS)
Austria 2 – 0 Argentina
Player of the match: Michael Körper (AUT)
Umpires: Sean Edwards (ENG), Rachel Williams (ENG)
USA 3 – 2 Namibia
Player of the match: Aki Kaeppeler (USA)
Umpires: Lee Barron (ENG), Diego Barbas (ARG)
Netherlands 6 – 3 South Africa
Player of the match: Boris Burkhardt (NED)
Umpires: Andres Ortiz (ESP), Sophie Bockelmann (GER)
Results (Women’s Event):
New Zealand 4 – 3 Namibia
Player of the match: Kirsten Pearce (NZL)
Umpires: Ornpimol Kittiteerasopon (THA), Cathy Wright (WAL)
USA 5 – 1 Kazakhstan
Player of the match: Hannah Miller (USA)
Umpires: Narongtuch Subboonsong (THA), Lyndal Robertson (RSA)
Czech Republic 6 – 0 Australia
Player of the match: Katerina Lacina (CZE)
Umpires: Cathy Wright (WAL), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL)
Austria 3 – 1 Ukraine
Player of the match: Stella van Rahden (AUT)
Umpires: Melina Illanes (ARG), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL)
Belgium 1 – 2 South Africa
Player of the match: Tegan Fourie (RSA)
Umpires: Emily Carroll (AUS), Lukasz Zwierzchowski (POL)
Netherlands 6 – 1 Canada
Player of the match: Lieke van Wijk (NED)
Umpires: Ayden Shrives (RSA), Lyndal Robertson (RSA)
