Sports Bulletin Report
Potchefstroom (South Africa):-Hosts South Africa defeated Ireland 1-0 in a nervy Pool B clash that would decide who progressed to the quarter-finals of the FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2022 at North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa.
South Africa beat Ireland 1-0
The delight on the faces of the South Africa team as the final whistle blew told the whole story. Although not the most convincing of victories, the host nation had sealed a spot in the quarter-finals.
The first half in this important match between the host nation South Africa and Junior World Cup debutants Ireland was spirited and fast-paced although both sides suffered from making multiple unforced errors. With England sealing top spot in Pool B, this match would decide who would join them in the quarter-finals and nerves were clearly having an impact on both sets of players.
It was South Africa who found the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time. The goal, by the highly influential defender Jean-Leigh du Toit, was from a penalty corner, earned after a good run by Cailynn Den Bakker drew a defensive error.
Ireland pushed hard after the break for the equaliser but it was South Africa who looked the more composed across the pitch and the more dangerous on the attack. Du Toit nearly added to her tally when a series of four well-worked variations on the penalty corner routine put the Irish defence under all sorts of pressure, which they weathered with gritty determination.
Ireland had a penalty corner opportunity with five minutes left in the match but the shot went agonisingly wide of Mishka Ellis’ goal post.
As the clock ticked down, the sense of urgency became palpable. Ireland’s Amy Elliot made a good run into the South Africa circle but was met by the excellent Ellis who was letting nothing past her.
Netherlands beat Zimbabwe 18-0
Two breaks in play due to stormy weather couldn’t prevent the Zimbabwe team falling before a goal-hungry Dutch team. In a match that saw goals in every quarter, the Dutch beat their own goal record at a Junior World Cup [also against Zimbabwe in 1989] and also saw three different players score hat tricks. The best efforts of Jenna Mathieson [in the first three quarters] and Lavender Mandoza [in the final quarter] in the Zimbabwe goal couldn’t stop an onslaught that began with Luna Fokke in the third minute and ended 17 goals later, with Mette Winter turning the ball neatly into the goal.
The best goal, in an avalanche of creative goals came from the stick of Maria Steensma. The ball was cleverly flicked high over the onrushing ‘keeper’s head by captain Rosa Fernig and Steensma was on hand to control and steer the ball over the line.
When Zimbabwe did start an attack the Dutch showed they were no slouches in defence either. The speedy Zimbabwe forwards, in particular Tinodiwanashe Elijah, were halted with crushing efficiency by the wall of orange shirts in midfield or defence.
USA beat Canada 4-0
It was USA who drew first blood in the final match of Day 4 as Riley Donnelly showed real composure to turn and shoot in the eighth minute. Certainly the USA team started the game the strongest of these two Pan Am rivals. Canada knew they needed a good start if they were to have any hope of winning by the necessary margin and this showed in their tentative approach to the first quarter.
USA had a chance to double the score early in the second quarter but the Canadians breathed a sigh of relief as the USA team failed to capitalise on a golden chance to score.
Canada began to make their own chances as the quarter counted down. Their pressure won them two penalty corners. Lauren Wadas made a good save off the line for the first attempt and the second shot flew wide.
Canada continued to have the momentum and Allison Kuzyk unleashed a shot that would have flown into the back of the net but for some brave defending by the USA defensive unit.
Good running by Samantha McCory earns Canada a penalty corner in the final minute of the first half, but once again a resilient USA defence prevented Canada scoring a moral boosting equaliser.
Despite continued good build-up by Canada throughout the third quarter, it was USA who scored again. Caroline Ramsey was the beneficiary as her penalty corner shot was deflected into the net by a Canada defender.
One of the key components of the USA performance was the unrelenting energy of Ashley Sessa. The USA forward was ceaseless in her running and, had her teammates been on the same page, the lead could have been greater.
The fourth quarter saw Canada looking more desperate for a goal and a way back into the game. As a result, more opportunities opened up for USA. Lindsay Dickinson thought she had scored a third but her fierce shot hit the post.
The third goal for USA came minutes later. Charlotte de Vries topped a mazy dribble with a neat little through ball to Hope Rose. Rose snuck in front of the defender to pop the ball into the Canada goal, past the flailing kicker of Ishaval Sekhon.
The icing on the cake for USA came when Charlotte de Vries scored from a penalty corner with a straightforward and perfectly placed slap shot.
