England 3 beat Pakistan 1
Goals: England – James Tindall FG 34m, Simon Mantell FG 47m, Richard Mantell PS 65m, Pakistan – Mudassar Ali Khan FG 49m
Today’s last day of the men’s World Cup Qualifier in Changzhou, China, started with England and Pakistan meeting in the match for bronze, Pakistan without their captain Muhammad Saqlain who was suspended for the last match after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament yesterday.
The teams put on an open, free-flowing and fast-paced match that was rather entertaining, especially as the second half wore on, despite the small number of goals scored. England were the slightly better team for the entire match but had trouble making use of their chances. Pakistan on the other hand had few chances, but always kept the pressure up, forcing the English to keep up the tension for the entire 70 minutes.
The scoring was opened relatively late in the match, when James Tindall fired a quick shot from the top of the circle that Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar could reach but not prevent from going into the net. The teams thus went into halftime at 1-0 to England, England deservedly leading in a tight match.
When the second half got on the way, England still had the better chances, and 17 minutes into the second half, they extended their lead to two goals when Simon Mantell capitalized on a good pass from Glenn Kirkham with a shot high into the net.
Pakistan little later got one back, as Mudassar Khan slotted home a low ball into the right corner of the goal, but Pakistan could get no closer to turning this match around. They had a few chances, but England had more and better opportunities, and with 5 minutes to go, they put one on top of their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke, and Richard Mantell converted for his tenth goal in the tournament, which will in all likelihood give him an undisputed topscorer title.
England are thus awarded the bronze medal in this tournament, while before-the-event favorites Pakistan finish a disappointing fourth, and will need to markedly improve their performance over the one in this tournament if they want to be title contenders in the World Cup later this year.
Japan 2 beat France 1
Goals: Japan – Kazuyuki Ozawa FG 27m FG 57m, France – Thomas Raisin FG 43m
In today’s most important game, the one deciding who wins the last available berth in the Monchengladbach World Cup in September, France took on Japan.
Both teams were clearly nervous from the beginning, no big surprise considering what was at stake, and it showed in a slow game riddled with hesitation and unforced errors on both sides. The Japanese got a better grip sooner however, and soon steered play, while the French still struggled with a number of mistakes.
In the 27th minute, Japan finally got on the scoreboard in this very tentative and slow encounter, laying a ball from the back line back towards the penalty spot. The ball was raised off a French defender’s stick and fell to Japanese captain Kazuyuki Ozawa who cracked the bouncing ball into the net from close range to give his team the halftime lead.
When play continued, things had not changed much. The French were now a little more concentrated and managed the equalizer in the 43rd minute, with a goal similar to Japan’s, Thomas Raisin hitting a bouncing ball into the net, but they could not get a grip on basic mistakes and avoidable turnovers.
Japan more or less ended France’s hopes in the 57th minute, when Kazuyuki Ozawa sunk his second goal of the day. His shot would actually probably have been wide but was deflected off a defender’s stick and went in, leaving the otherwise brilliantly disposed Julien Thamin without a chance to react.
France then pushed hard and attacked relentlessly but Japan fell back to concentrate on defending and did not leave them any room to move. France managed a handful of good opportunities but wasted most of them all by themselves, shooting wide or mistrapping or running straight into the Japanese defense.
Japan eventually held on to the 2-1, and thus qualify for the second World Cup in a row after a previous 30 year absence, while France were crushed at the second defeat by Japan in the space of a few days, and at not qualifying for Monchengladbach after getting so close.
New Zealand 4 beat Korea 1
Goals: New Zealand – Lloyd Stephenson FG 17m PS 35m, Simon Child FG 24m, Bevan Hari FG 70m, Korea - Seong Jung Kang PC 57m
The final of the 2006 BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier was contested by New Zealand and Korea.
Right from the very beginning of the game, New Zealand dominated play and today clearly was the superior side in this match. They produced a great team effort, and both their first two goals were superb team performances.
The Blacksticks’ first goal was scored in the 17th minute, Bevan Hari having stolen the ball off a Korean defender to pass it on. The ball passed several stations before falling to Lloyd Stephenson who had to do no more than tap it in. The second goal came off a ball from the back from Blair Hopping for Phillip Burrows who used his trademark agility for a dash towards the circle, passing the ball to Simon Child who trapped, then scored with a a diving shot.
Towards the end of the first half, New Zealand had to work hard to keep the Koreans at bay and deny their opponents’ rolling attacks, but eventually it was them who were awarded a penalty stroke when Lloyd Stephenson, attempting to deflect a ball near goal, was felled by the Korean defense. Stephenson stepped up himself and converted for his second goal of the day and the Kiwis’ 3-0 lead.
Back from the break, Korea looked improved over the first half’s performance and now held the match more open, resulting in play to flow up and down the field at great speed. They also managed to score, with Seong Jung Kang making good use of a penalty corner, flicking the ball into the net after it was bunted to him on the left.
Korea increasingly took over control over the game, but New Zealand had a rather easy job, only needing to defend a three goal lead after their great first half. They successfully kept Korea at bay, and even managed to put away another one in the last minute to make the final result a relatively clear 4-1 and win the tournament.
