England, South Africa win in World Cup upsets

ROSARIO, Argentina: England upset China 1-0 and South Africa pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over Spain in the women’s field hockey World Cup on Tuesday while host Argentina edged South Korea 1-0.

Hannah MacLeod’s goal in the second minute, pushing in a rebound of Crista Cullen’s penalty corner flick, was all England’s women needed to take maximum points from their first two matches in Pool B competition.

China starved England of possession in the second half by controlling the midfield and had more than 15 shots on goal, but England’s hero goalkeeper Beth Storry made 10 saves, three in a single flurry, to keep China scoreless.

“We won it in the first half,” England coach Danny Kerry said. “In the second, well, we have to be able to play much better than that although our quality showed with really good tackles in the circle.

“Beth made some great saves with China throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us.”

China coach Kim Sang Ryul agreed England defended well in the second half.

“The players could not score in the second half because the England defenders are very strong individually, although I have to say I am happy with the way my players played, except that they could not score,” Kim said.

South Africa won its first World Cup match in eight years, having last won in 2002 at Perth against Ukraine in a consolation classification match.

“I’m confident we will be winning again here and not in another eight to 10 years,” South Africa coach Giles Bonnet said.

South Africa scored first through Pietie Coetzee, who drew a penalty corner when she was stick-checked in the circle, then converted with a rocket flick low to the left, deflected into goal off the stick of Spain goalkeeper Maria Lopez de Eguilaz.

Spain survived three more penalty corners to South Africa as Coetzee sent her rockets wide twice and one high flick saved by Lopez de Equilaz.

Nuria Camon scored Spain’s equaliser just before the break, converting Spain’s second penalty corner chance, flicking high into goal from an acute angle.

South Africa shaded Spain in the second half and Sulette Damons put the game away for South Africa, deflecting Kelly Madsen’s high backstick pass into goal.

Spain appealed to the video umpire that Damons’ stick was above her shoulder when she connected with the ball but the appeal was disallowed.

Spanish coach Pablo Usoz again regretted Spain’s inability to score from penalty corners.

“South Africa controlled much of the match and while we had five penalty corners we still cannot take advantage of those chances to score,” Usoz said.

South Korea held Argentina scoreless in the first half despite four penalty corner chances for the hosts.

Luciana Aymar created Argentina’s only goal by beating two defenders, shooting into the pads of Moon Youngh Hui and Carla Rebecchi batting the rebound into goal.

“It was a great win, the best win,” Argentina coach Carlos Retegui said.

Korea pressed Argentina’s defence high in the last 5 minutes but could not force a penalty corner.

“I’m happy with the way the team played and I can only be unhappy we could not convert any of the three penalty corners or score,” South Korea coach Kang Keon Wook said.

In Pool A matches on Wednesday, India face Australia, Netherlands meet New Zealand and Germany play Japan.