08 December, 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: The second day of classification matches at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 in Chile was a tough one to digest for the hosts as they lost badly to the United States. While Zimbabwe earned their first victory of the tournament via a shootout, South Africa and India went on to the next round of classification matches with a win in their respective games today. Zimbabwe vs Canada [Full-Time Score: 1-1 (Shootout Score: 4-3)] Tanatswa Mutaramuswa’s heroics in the shootout helped Zimbabwe get their first win of the competition as they edged out Canada in a thrilling shootout. Although Canadian skipper Allison Kuzyk scored the opening goal in the 10th minute, Zimbabwe made a late and strong comeback through Elijah’s penalty stroke conversion in the 52nd minute. The game went into the shootouts and it was then on both the custodians to showcase their talent. The game was also tied in the first five shootouts and went on to the sudden deaths in which Zimbabwe emerged victorious. “I had in my mind that that we had to do it anyway. My team is incredibly happy that we won the first match of the tournament. It was a tough game but we played according to what the coach had planned and we succeeded. South Africa vs New Zealand (Full-Time Score: 3-1) New Zealand was always the side that attacked more but was denied conversions by the Protea defense. They got five penalty corners but were only able to convert one. South African women, who had a decent outing in the pool stage matches, were dominant and focused more on scoring field goals instead of creating penalty corners. Paris-Gail Isaacs (21’), Reabetswe Phume (34’), and Ane Janse (52’) netted the goals for the Protea team. They will next face Zimbabwe for the 13th–14th place classification match. Player of the Match Paris-Gail Isaacs said, “We had played well in the group stages as well but the result hadn’t gone in our favor. We will try to finish on a high in our last match on Saturday.” Korea vs India (Full-Time Score: 1-3) India staged a spirited comeback as they won 1-3 after being down by a goal in the first 20 minutes. Jiyun Choi scored off a penalty corner in the 19th minute while India’s prolific goal scorer Ropni Kumari got India back into the game with a thunderous strike to the right of the goalkeeper in the 23rd minute. The second half was completely dominated by India as they scored two more goals. Mumtaz Khan (44’) and Annu (46’) scored the two goals for the women in blue to complete an easy win. “We played with good coordination today and were confident in all the balls that we were playing. The passes were precise and the conversion was also on top”, said the Player of the Match Mumtaz Khan. Chile vs USA (Full-Time Score: 1-5) It wasn’t a great day for the hosts in front of their home crowd as they failed to capitalize against a strong US side who had unluckily missed out of the quarterfinals. Chile was never in the game until Constanza Munoz scored off a penalty stroke in the 59th minute. The United States goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz put up a great show as she denied all five penalty corners that Chile got. Jans Croon, who scored a brace for the United States was awarded the Player of the Match award. She said, “Scoring three goals in the first quarter was the key to our success and also our corner conversion was on point as we scored from both the penalty corners that we got.”   To see the schedule of the upcoming matches, click here. FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2023 – 07 December 2023 Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional   Result: 13th–16th place Classification Match Zimbabwe 1-1 Canada (Shootout Score: 4-3) Player of the Match: Tanatswa Mutaramuswa (ZIM) Umpires: Junko Wagatsuma (JPN) and Jianjun Chen (JPN)   Result: 13th–16th place Classification Match South Africa 3-1 New Zealand Player of the Match: Paris-Gail Isaacs (RSA) Umpires: Veronica Villafane (ARG) and Kamile Mockaityte (LTU)   Result: 9th–12th place Classification Match Korea 1-3 India Player of the Match: Mumtaz Khan (IND) Umpires: Minami Inamoto (JPN) and Sandra Adell (ESP)   Result: 9th–12th place Classification Match Chile 1-5 USA Player of the Match: Jans Croon (USA) Umpires: Durga Devi (IND) and Victoria Pazos (PAR) Source: fih.hockey

07 December, 2023 It was a busy day for all the eight teams at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Chile with high stakes of qualifying for the semifinals of the prestigious event. While Netherlands and Argentina had easy wins and surged their way through to the semis, England and Belgium won by just one goal each, with their respective opponents giving them a tough fight till the end of the 60th minute. Let’s take a look at all the four matches as it happened in Chile.  Netherlands vs Spain (Full-Time Score: 4-1) In the opening match of the day, the Dutch women scored thrice in the first quarter to seal the game in their favor and enter the semifinals of the World Cup. It was Mette Winter’s brilliant goal in the 3rd minute that opened the scoring before Trijnjte Beljaars (8’) and Isis Van Loon (11’) added to make it 3-0 in the first quarter itself.  Although Spain got more penalty corners compared to the Netherlands (6:5), they failed to convert even one. It was more of a physical game and the Dutch women had started in their top gear and finished on the same too. The scoreline stopped at 4-1, with Teresa Lima (42’) being the lone scorer for Spain.  “It wasn’t easy at all. Although the scoreline looks pretty one-sided, it wasn’t the case on the field. We had strategically planned our game and played according to that, and hence the result”, said the Player of the Match Trijnjte Beljaars.  England vs Germany (Full-Time Score: 1-0) Scarlett Spavin’s goal in the 39th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides as England piped Germany in a thrilling battle at the Junior World Cup. Both sides remained goalless in the first half, although there were end-to-end attacks. Germany got nine Penalty Corners but failed to convert any.  England will aim to reach their first-ever Women’s Junior World Cup final but the road won’t be easy as they will be facing one of the strongest sides in world hockey in the semifinals, the Netherlands.  Skipper of the team Beth Alexander expressed her emotions after the game saying “It was a tough game. I am incredibly proud of the whole team who stayed calm throughout the game and gave their best. It wasn’t easy to hold on to the lead with continuous attacks from Germany but luckily, we were able to do it”.  Belgium vs Japan (Full-Time Score: 1-0) It was Maite Bussels brilliance in the goal and a last-minute screamer by Noa Schreurs that propelled Belgium into the semifinals of the Junior Women’s World Cup. Japan put in all their efforts to get off the mark as they attacked continuously earning 9 penalty corners, but were denied a goal.  Japan also had the opportunity to score one via a Penalty Stroke but again it was Bussels who dived to her stick side to affect an amazing save and keep the Japanese girls out of the game. It was chaos in the 60th minute with Belgium getting a penalty corner when the clock had already run down but managed to convert it via Schreurs.  “It’s unbelievable. Can’t put in words what just happened. I think it’s one of the most thrilling and amazing matches that I have played in my career till now. From the efforts we have put in today, we are incredibly proud of each other. Onwards and upwards for us from here,” said the goalkeeper and player of the match Maite Bussels.  Argentina vs Australia (Full-Time Score: 3-1) Argentina was in their top gear right from the start as they defeated Australia 3-1. Sofia Cairo (20’), Lara Casas (26’), and Brisa Bruggeser (52’) scored for Argentina while Tatum Stewart (39’) netted the only goal for Australia.  Argentina will have to fight against Belgium for a place in the finals while Australia will face Japan in the 5th–8th place classification match.  To see the schedule of the upcoming matches, click here. FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2023 – 06 December 2023 Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional Result: Quarterfinal 1 Netherlands 4-1 Spain Player of the Match: Trijnjte Beljaars (NED) Umpires: Kamile Mockaityte (LTU) and Katrina Turner (NZL) Result: Quarterfinal 2 England 1-0 Germany Player of the Match: Beth Alexander (ENG) Umpires: Lizelotte Wolter (NED) and Melissa Taylor (RSA) Result: Quarterfinal 3 Belgium 1-0 Japan Player of the Match: Maite Bussels (BEL) Umpires: Kristy Robertson (AUS) and Jianjun Chen (CHN) Result: Quarterfinal 4 Argentina 3-1 Australia Umpires: Magali Sergeant (BEL) and Victoria Pazos (PAR) Source: fih.hockey

06 December, 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: The teams that missed out on a spot in the Top 8 of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 got another chance on Thursday to showcase their potential in the 9th-16th place qualification match.  While India and Korea got hard-earned victories, the USA and Chile overcame their respective opponents with ease to advance into the next rounds.  Let’s take a round-up of the four matches as it happened in Chile! India vs New Zealand [Full-Time Score: 3 – 3 (Shootout Score: 3-2)] It was an absolute neck-to-neck contest between the two teams as both were not ready to let go of the match. While India’s Ropni Kumari opened the scoring in the eighth minute of the match, Isabella Story equalized it within three minutes. The story was similar till the 60th minute when the match got tied at 3-3.  It was then for the first penalty shootout of the tournament and what a thriller it turned out to be. While New Zealand converted the first two and India missed the first two, it was the heroics of India’s goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo, who effected four shootout saves and helped India stage a spirited comeback to win the match.  India’s midfield maestro Jyoti Chhatri who won the Player of the Match award said, “We are extremely proud of the comeback we did. Even after being down by two goals in the shootout, we didn’t give up and won the game from there. Hats off to our goalkeeper Madhuri for her star-studded performance”.  USA vs Canada (Full-Time Score: 8-0) There was no match-up for USA in their classification match, as they blanked Canada by 8-0 goals. Daniela Mendez-Trendler opened the scoring followed by goals from Charlotte Bruder (38’), Lucy Adams (41’), Hope Rose (42’ and 43’), Katie Dixon (57’), Abigail Tamer (59’), Lauren Wadas (60’).  USA earned 11 penalty corners while converting only two of those. They will now face hosts Chile on 7th December for the 9th–12th place classification match.  “We just wanted to come back stronger as a team. Even after not qualifying for the quarterfinals, we want to finish at the best we can,” said Player of the Match Ryleigh Heck.  Korea vs South Africa [Full-Time Score: 1-1 (Shootout Score: 3-2)] Just like the India vs New Zealand match, this one was also a nail-biter. While Korea was extremely good in the league stages as well, South Africa showed some intent as they held on to Korea for the sixty minutes.  Seoyeon Lee (12’) and Reabetswe Phume (30’) scored the goals for Korea and South Africa respectively.  “It was a very hard game but glad that we were able to win it. Our focus would be on the next game and finish the tournament on a high,” said Seoyeon Lee Chile vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Score: 2-0) The hosts lightened up the stadium in Chile with their brilliant display of hockey as they beat Zimbabwe 2-0. Constanza Munoz and Martina Gago scored the two goals for Chile, both of penalty corners.  They will next face USA in the 9th-12th place classification match. To see the schedule of the upcoming matches, click here. FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2023 – 05 December 2023 Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional Result: Classification Match 1 India 3-3 New Zealand (Shootout Score: 3-2)  Player of the Match: Jyoti Chhatri (IND) Umpires: Junko Wagatsuma (JPN) and Minami Inamoto (JPN) Result: Classification Match 2 USA 8-0 Canada  Player of the Match: Ryleigh Heck (USA) Umpires: Melissa Taylor (RSA) and Jianjun Chen (CHN)  Result: Classification Match 3 Korea 1-1 South Africa (Shootout Score: 3-2) Player of the Match: Lee Seoyeon (KOR) Umpires: Kristy Robertson (AUS) and Veronica Villafane (ARG) Result: Classification Match 4 Chile 2-0 Zimbabwe Player of the Match: Constanza Munoz (CHI) Umpires: Sandra Adell (ESP) and Magali Sergeant (BEL) Source: fih.hockey

04 December, 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: The last day of the league stage matches at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 had a few twists and turns. While the United States couldn’t qualify for the quarterfinals even after winning by a 6-2 margin against New Zealand, England made their way into the top 8 although they lost to Japan 1-4.  The Pool B match between Spain and Korea was a nerve wracker too as it was a do-or-die situation for both the teams as both the teams had the same number of points from the same number of games. In the end, the fate was on Spain’s side as they beat Korea 2-1 to enter the quarters. Let’s take a look at the matches on Day 5 of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 in Chile.  Pool D: England vs Japan (Full-Time Score: 1-4) Even after losing to Japan in their last league match, England made their way into the quarterfinals with six points from three matches. Along with them, it was Japan, who also made it to the top 8, finishing second in Pool D.  England opened the scoring through Lottie Bingham in the 17th minute but it was then Japan’s Risa Sasaki and Natsumi Oshima who scored a brace each to take Japan through to the quarters.  “We are extremely happy to qualify for the quarterfinals. We worked on our mistakes from the previous match and played as a unit,” said Player of the Match Risa Sasaki.  Pool D: New Zealand vs United States (Full-Time Score: 2-6) The United States put in all its efforts but couldn’t get over the line. They finished third in their group as Japan qualified via goal difference, although they had the same points.  Abigail Tamer’s hat-trick also went in vain as the United States fell short by just one goal. New Zealand was out of the contention for quarterfinals and both of them will now play for the 9th-16th place classification matches. Player of the match Abigail Tamer said, “We walked into the game knowing how many goals we had to score, but we didn’t play well in the first half as we could score just one. The story would have been different had we put in more effort in the first 30 minutes.” Pool B: Spain vs Korea (Full-Time Score: 2-1) Goals from Sara Carmona and Teresa Saenz De Santa proved to be crucial as Spain beat Korea by a goal to advance to the next stage of the competition. Korea’s goal came in the 59th minute but it was way too late for them to equalize and then take the lead.  Spain finished second in Pool B and will be taking on the Netherlands for a spot in the semifinals, while Korea will play against South Africa in the 9th–16th place classification match.  Clara Barba was the star for Spain as she controlled the entire game with her impeccable gameplay. “Our first goal was to qualify for the quarterfinals and I am proud of the team effort that everyone put in today. Now, we will rest well and again start planning as we are going to face a strong team like the Netherlands in the quarters”, said Clara, who was awarded the Player of the Match.  Pool B: Argentina vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Score: 14-0) Argentina cemented their place at the top of Pool B with this big win against Zimbabwe. It was a lop-sided affair as Zimbabwe even failed to enter the opposition’s circle. Argentina earned 16 penalty corners in the match as they dominated the proceedings from the start.  Zimbabwe finished at the bottom of Pool B as they lost all their three matches. They will now face hosts Chile for the 9th-16th place classification match while Argentina will meet Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.  Daiana Pacheco earned the Player of the Match award for her hat-trick. She said, “We have done well in the league matches and would now shift our focus to the big game against Australia. We are here to win the World Cup and we will try our level best to achieve it.” To see the final pool standings of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023, click here. To see the match schedule for the quarterfinals and classification matches, click here. FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2023 – 03 December 2023 Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional Result: Match 21 England 1-4 Japan Player of the Match: Risa Sasaki (JPN) Umpires: Kristy Robertson (AUS) and Victoria Pazos (PAR) Result: Match 22  New Zealand 2-6 United States Player of the Match: Abigail Tamer (USA) Umpires: Lizelotte Walter (NED) and Veronica Villafane (ARG) Result: Match 23 Spain 2-1 Korea Player of the Match: Clara Barba (ESP) Umpires: Magali Sergeant (BEL) and Durga Devi (IND) Result: Match 24 Argentina 14-0 Zimbabwe Player of the Match: Daiana Pacheco (ARG) Umpires: Kamile Mockaityte (LTU) and Katrina Turner (NZL) Source: fih.hockey

04 December, 2023 FIH President Tayyab Ikram was in Africa last week with a main topic at heart: the development of hockey in the African continent. His visit kicked off in Blantyre, Malawi, with all African nations gathering there for the 24th Congress of the African Hockey Federation as well as the Africa Cup for Club Champions. On this occasion, President Ikram led a development meeting focused on the FIH Empowerment and Engagement strategy and its four main pillars: more places to play, boost to coaching, more opportunities to compete and more tools to empower Continental Federations (CFs) and National Associations (NAs). “We spoke about the responsibilities of FIH, CFs and NAs to deliver that strategy. I explained the application process to benefit from the strategy and how best FIH can assist them. I can tell that all members really appreciated the initiative of FIH”, President Ikram said. Some resolutions were passed, including the need for a regional cooperation that can help reduce the adverse impact of the geographical distances in Africa, which are very challenging. Even the possibility of developing the sport on a regional basis in Africa, at least in certain areas, where neighboring countries can get a benefit, was discussed. Also, different national associations shared their best practices. “It was a really healthy and fruitful interaction, and I’m very thankful to all participants, and also the athletes, for their inspiring insights!”, the FIH President added. From Malawi, President Ikram flew to Nairobi where he was received, together with the President of the African Hockey Federation, Seif Ahmed, by Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba. It was a particularly fruitful meeting since the government agreed to overhaul the hockey infrastructure in Kenya, first with a new playing surface at the Nairobi Hockey Stadium and then a complete renovation of the same, to make it a state-of-the-art facility. Of course, the Kenyan Hockey Union and its Chairman Nashon Randiek will be fully associated to this project. “This will be a first step to provide the best possible infrastructure for our young athletes in Kenya, a country with a huge potential, especially for women’s hockey. I took this opportunity to present a trophy of appreciation to the women’s national team, who are ranked second in Africa! Together with the African Hockey Association, FIH will commit to provide not only the necessary infrastructure but also the technical support, from grassroot to high performance level, and also set up the coach and the umpires education pathways, with a view to make Kenya a regional hub for East Africa again”, the FIH President stated at the conclusion of his visit. Source: fih.hockey