A pair by captain Maartje Paumen led the Netherlands past Argentina 2-1 on Thursday, dealing a severe blow to the three-time defending champion’s hopes in the field hockey Women’s Champions Trophy.
South Korea beat New Zealand 5-3 in the other playoff, meaning the Netherlands and South Korea could advance to tomorrow’s final together if they draw their playoff match today.
Paumen’s second penalty corner goal two minutes from the end decided a riveting contest. Paumen scored her first in the 20th and Argentina equalized seven minutes later through Delfina Merino.
The Netherlands finished with their first major win over Argentina since the 2008 Beijing Olympics semi-finals and Paumen became the leading Dutch scorer in Trophy history, with 18.
South Korea beat New Zealand for the first time since 2008 with a hat-trick from Kim Jong-hee.
South Korea led 2-0 after 13 minutes, but New Zealand struck twice in two minutes to make it level by the break. South Korea scored first after halftime, but New Zealand replied again. Kim scored twice in the last 15 minutes to seal the win and complete her hat-trick.
Hong Yoo-jin and Kim Jong-eun also found the goal, while the Kiwi scorers were Katie Glynn, Charlotte Harrison and Anita Punt.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
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