Eleventh-ranked South Korea stunned third-ranked China 2-1 and reigning champions Argentina beat 13th-ranked South Africa 5-2 on Sunday in the women’s field hockey World Cup.
England edged Spain 3-2 in the day’s other Pool B match but the first shocker of the event came at China’s expense.
China’s Zhao Yudiao completed a neat exchange of passes with Gao Lihua in the circle, scoring the first goal of the tournament, followed by South Korea’s Kim Young-ran’s equalizer in the first half.
PHOTO: AFP
After Park Mi-hyun cut through the left to score South Korea’s winning goal, China struggled to find an equalizer in the last five minutes.
Despite the upset victory, South Korea coach and former Korea men’s captain Kang Keon-wook was not over-confident about Korea’s prospects in the tournament.
“It is too soon to be thinking about medals,” Kang said.
PHOTO: AFP
China coach Kim Sang-ryul conceded his team did not play well.
“We should give credit to the skill of Park’s goal for Korea but my defenders were watching her like spectators in the stands and not doing their job,” Kim said.
Argentina dominated South Africa early, displaying the speed with the ball and stickwork expected of the Champions Trophy holders.
Noel Barrionuevo converted Argentina’s second penalty corner chance but Argentina dropped off the pace, allowing South Africa to be competitive in the midfield and hold their own in defense.
Argentina’s partisan fans were silenced by Pietie Coetzee’s bullet penalty corner equalizer and South Africa thwarted Argentina’s attack until the break.
Two goals by Luciana Aymar in the five minutes after the break brought the crowd to their feet but again Argentina dropped their intensity until the last 10 minutes when Aymar made her third goal and Marine Russo added another.
Vida Ryan showed that no team can underestimate South Africa, surprising Argentina’s defense with a free hit outside the circle, carrying to the top of the circle to drive into the top of the net for South Africa’s second goal.
“There is no doubt that Argentina is the best team here by virtue of their experience but we also have to do better by taking our opportunities to score when they come,” South Africa coach Giles Bonnet said.
Carlos Retegui praised Argentina skipper Aymar.
“She played fantastically well and there are few players who can score three goals in a game,” Retegui said.
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