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Hockey: England finish bottom of group

July 20, 2024

England ended the pool phase of the 2009 Samsung Women’s Champions Trophy on a sour note after loosing to fellow strugglers China.

Rebecca Herbert gave England a ray of hope and she pulled a goal back after Ma Yibo and Fu Baorong gave China a 2-0 lead. However, it was short lived as Song Quinling and Zhao Yudio took the game out of England’s reach with a further two goals to settle the game at 4-1. Leaving England at the bottom of the group in 6th spot at the end of the pool phase. The two sides will now face each other in a 5th vs. 6th place playoff and England will hope for an improved performance.

The two teams came into this match with an identical record, level on points with one draw each and both suffering two previous defeats.

It was a tame first half with only one goal coming in the 23rd minute when China netted their third penalty corner of the match, captain Ma Yibo the scorer. It was no surprise that the first China goal came from this set piece considering that they have the second highest success rate of 28%. Only table toppers Argentina have a better success rate (35%).

Prior to the goal, Kate Walsh suffered a strike to her hand to add to her black eye and stitches she picked up on Thursday.

When the clock struck 40 minutes China doubled their lead when goalkeeper Becky Duggan came off of her line to allow Fu Baorong to pass the ball into the net from the top of the circle.

China continued to press forward despite Rebecca Herbert’s consolation goal, and they were rewarded with a third goal in the 52nd minute when Quingling won the ball back to score with a backhand shot. This goal caused a slight moment of controversy as the goal was analysed with video technology to check the validity of the goal, but it was awarded.

It was only four minutes later when Zhao Yudio finished England off from yet another penalty corner.

England pressed hard for a comeback but they were unable to supply that finishing touch in front of goal. Even when Xing Qian was yellow carded in the 65th minute, leaving China a man down for the last five minutes of the match.

Head coach Danny Kerry said, “I was disappointed with the first half today; I thought our performance was unacceptable.”

Captain Kate Walsh sided with Kerry and had this to add, “I agree with Danny about our first half performance but it was better in the second half. We need to pick ourselves up and go into tomorrow’s game with more confidence.”

Sam Cook, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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Hockey: England defeated 4-0 in Samsung Champions Trophy

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