New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, and Japan advanced to the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup, with each team achieving key victories on the final group stage day. New Zealand bested Scotland 3-1, Ireland defeated Korea 2-0, Chile overcame the USA 3-1, and Japan edged Canada 2-1, showcasing their skill and teamwork.
On the final day of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup group stages, New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, and Japan secured their spots in the semi-finals with decisive victories. New Zealand overcame Scotland with a 3-1 win, while Ireland asserted their dominance with a 2-0 victory over Korea. Chile triumphed against the USA with a 3-1 scoreline, capitalizing on penalty corners. Japan edged out Canada 2-1 thanks to a last-minute goal.
New Zealand displayed resilience by turning the match around after falling behind early. Grace O’Hanlon, the team’s goalkeeper, emphasized the collective effort of the squad, stating that teamwork has been their focus throughout the tournament. This victory enabled New Zealand to secure a semi-final berth.
In their match, Ireland faced a strong defensive challenge from Korea, yet Sarah Torrans opened the scoring with a deft finish. Later, Christina Hamill sealed Ireland’s convincing win by scoring a second goal, contributing to their impressive total of zero goals conceded during the group stage, a fact celebrated by Hamill.
Chile’s performance was defined by their efficiency in converting penalty corners, scoring three times against the USA despite frustrations from the opposing side. Maria Maldonado highlighted her joy at reaching the semi-finals, especially after marking her 100th match with a goal.
Japan’s match against Canada was tightly contested, beginning with a scoreless first half. After taking advantage of an early second-half power play, Japan scored, only for Canada to quickly respond. A late goal from Hiroka Murayama ultimately secured Japan’s win, with Murayama expressing optimism for future matches.
In conclusion, the final day of the group stages of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup showcased the remarkable performances of New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, and Japan, all of whom advanced to the semi-finals. Each team exhibited strategic prowess and effective teamwork, setting the stage for thrilling semi-final matchups. The players’ commitment to excellence was evident, highlighting the competitive spirit of the tournament.
Original Source: www.fih.hockey
