Belgium to face Italy in FIH Women Champions Challenge II finals: Hockey Recap
Belgium and Italy emerged victorious over Chile and Belarus respectively, in the semi-finals of the FIH Women Champions Challenge II, held in Vienna, Austria.
In the opening contest, Belgium edged past Chile by a single goal 1-0 to get a place into the finals of the event, while Italy defeated Belarus via a golden goal in the extra-time in the second competition. Interestingly, the two were the runner-ups teams
in the group stages, but overwhelmed the top teams.
The Women’s team of Belgium displayed a wonderful game in the first semi-final to take Chile down by a solitary goal. The two sides played defensively in the opening half, as no goal was scored from the two sides in the first 35 minutes.
The game continued with same pace in the second period, as both sides were not ready to let either side go ahead. However, h**l broke out lose when Jill Boon of Belgium managed to take the ball at the top of the circle and unleashed a solid shot, opening
the score 1-0. The classical goal destroyed the hopes of Chilean girls, who were dreaming to become champions of the event. After a passage of an end-to-end seven minutes of play, Belgium rode away the field with a 1-0 win.
In the second knock-out match, Italy edged past Belarus via a golden goal in the sudden-death overtime and fixed their spot against Belgium in the finals.
Belarus started the game quite outstandingly and notched a couple of goals within the first ten minutes. Nastassia Shcharbakova and her team-mate, Hanna Zabrotskaya, were at their best and scored one goal each to put Belarus ahead on the score-board. After
conceding two goals, the Italian players started more offensive game in search of an equaliser, but could not succeed to do so until the 32nd minute of the match.
Alessia Padalino and Francesca Faustino notched one goal apiece of which first was taken through a penalty shot and the other one on a penalty stroke. At the half time, the two sides were locked horns at two-all.
Interestingly, the two sides failed to make any addition in the second half. The period comprised of lot of attacks and counter-attacks. However, all were blocked by the either side. The tie-up forced the two sides to move into the extra-time to make the
match decisive. In the second half of the over-time, Agata Wybieralska converted a short corner to seal the victory for Italy.
In the finals, Italy will face Belgium while the match between Belarus and Chile will decide the fate of the bronze medal. In another game, Malaysia will play against Russia for the fifth and sixth spot, respectively.
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