Rabo FIH Champions Trophy: Final Eight Standings (Part 2)
Article continued from Rabo FIH Champions Trophy: Final Eight Standings (Part 1)
New Zealand: Number Three
The Black Sticks women fulfilled the desires of Mark Hager, the coach of the team, and earned the first ever medal of the Champions Trophy. Interestingly, the Black Sticks women won only two games out of total six, while received defeats in the three games.
In the maiden appearance, they felt down before Germany by a single goal, while registered their first victory of the tournament against their neighbour, Australia, by a solitary goal.
The Women’s hockey squad of New Zealand delivered outstanding performance against the host Netherlands and drew the match at 0-0. It was a game that put the Black Sticks in the Pool C, where they faced Argentina and Korea in the last two games. Though they
failed to render impressive game against World Champions, Argentina, they revved them up and snatched bronze medal from Korea in the play-off match. They lost to Las Leonas by 3-2, while managed the triumph from Korea in same 3-2 scoring.
Overall it was a best show-off from Black Sticks Women which improved their ranking at the 6th place. It scored eleven goals, while conceded thirteen in the six appearances. Its best names of the tournament were Cathryn Finlayson, Katie Glynn,
Krystal Forgesson and Charlotte Harrison.
Sally Rutherford, the Black Sticks goal-keeper, though has had only nine international caps in her credit, but exhibited a brilliant show. She denied plenty of attacks and played vital role in the first ever bronze medal.
Korea: Number Four
One of the best Asian squad, which is standing at the 8th place at the international ranking, has earned 4th position in the eight-nation tournament. The Koreans drew three games out of total six matches. It managed the first draw against
China at 2-2, while second against English team with the same score. The Koreans showed outstanding performances in the third game and equalised the results against defending champions Argentina.
It won only a single game while lost two fixtures to Netherlands and New Zealand. In the solitary victory, they edged past New Zealand by two goals, 5-3 in the Pool C match. Similar to New Zealand, the Koreans scored twelve goals while received thirteen
in the six games.
It is vital to mention here that they only scored off a single short-corner out of total 22 received throughout the Champions Trophy. On the other side, the team Korea was the topper squad, which obtained eleven goals from the field. Kim Jong Hee was highest
goal scorer of the tournament with four goals of which three were taken from the field efforts.
Kim Jong Hee, Kim Da Rae, Cheon Eun Bi, Hong Yoo Jin, Kim Jong Eun and Park Mi Hyun were among the best players of Korea. Besides these point-scorers, Jang Soo Ji – the custodian and Lee Seon Ok were also best in the eight-team event. The goalie displayed
wonderful game and changed the face of the scorecard on many occasions.
Article continued from Rabo FIH Champions Trophy: Final Eight Standings (Part 3)
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