Netherlands, Argentina book final encounter
NOTTINGHAM: Argentina will play the Netherlands in the women Champions Trophy final on Sunday after England and New Zealand drew 2-2, Netherlands squeezed a 1-0 win over Germany and Argentina beat China 4-3 on Saturday.
England’s inability to score one more goal against New Zealand cost them a place in the final, failing to gain the 12 points needed to advance ahead of Argentina.
Argentina’s win equalled England’s 10 points but the South Americans secured a final berth with a better goal difference.
Germany goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds parried Netherlands’ four first half penalty corner shots in the scoreless first half, winning more contested possessions while Netherlands turned over possession in the midfield and in Germany’s circle.
Kim Lammers’ 50th minute goal marked one thousand women’s Champions Trophy goals and earned the Dutch their ninth Champions Trophy final berth.
Netherlands’ coach Herman Kruis believes his side advanced by generally sticking to their game plan.
“We started the game with the goal to play a better press than the last matches and I think we did that very well because in the press we could pick up some balls and that was our goal for this match,” Kruis said.
Germany coach Michael Behrmann was pleased with his side’s showing – if not the result.
“I think we played quite well today in a very close match and we had chances to score and while I am not happy with the result I am quite happy with the way we played,” Kruis said.
New Zealand spoilt England’s chance of playing in their first Champions Trophy final by drawing 2-2.
The draw gave New Zealand their first point in the tournament and kept alive their record of not losing to England in Champions Trophy tournaments.
New Zealand’s Piki Hamahona and Gemma Flynn had New Zealand ahead 2-0 midway through the first half before Nicola White’s field goal and Crista Cullen’s penalty corner conversion levelled matters at the break.
England had a penalty corner chance in the last minute, saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit, clearing Cullen’s high flick with seconds remaining.
New Zealand coach Mark Hager was not enthused by New Zealand’s performance.
“We were patchy although obviously the two goals in the first half were pleasing, but apart from that, in the second half, I don’t think we created too many opportunities so we need to learn to play for 70 minutes rather than for 15 minutes,” Hager said.
England coach Danny Kerry was impressed with New Zealand.
“I have watched the matches of New Zealand here and I think this New Zealand squad is very talented,” Kerry said.
Argentina struggled to overcome China’s speed at times as they let slip a seemingly safe advantage at 3-1, the Chinese roaring back through Zhao Yudiao and Fu Baorong.
But in a thrilling finale Argentina earned a penalty corner converted by Noel Barrionuevo.
As the Dutch and Argentina play for gold, Germany and England meet for bronze and China face New Zealand to avoid the wooden spoon.