Argentina kept alive hope of a third successive Women’s Champions Trophy crown by ending the top-ranked Netherlands’ unbeaten run 4-2 on Thursday.
The showdown between the world’s two best women’s field hockey teams lived up to expectations, with the Dutch coming from behind to lead, then Argentina producing a brilliant second half to prevent the Netherlands from a fourth straight win and an early berth in tomorrow’s final.
Noel Barrionuevo scored in her fourth straight game for Argentina after only six minutes, but the Dutch went ahead when Marilyn Agliotti scored three minutes later and Maartje Paumen sent in a penalty-corner.
Substitute Delfina Merino equalized just before halftime, then Carla Rebecchi’s field-goal with a reverse stick shot off Luciana Aymar’s pass put Argentina back in front at 3-2 in the 47th minute and Agustina Soldedad Garcia’s weaving run was capped by Rosario Luchetti in the 54th minute.
England rallied to beat China for the first time in four years and tie the Netherlands at the top of the standings. Argentina and Germany are both two points behind.
Ma Yibo scored from a penalty-corner in the 12th minute and China held the lead until 10 minutes into the second half, when Helen Richardson leveled for England from a penalty-corner. Then Charlotte Craddock hit the winner in the 52nd minute to give England a measure of revenge for twice losing to China in last year’s tournament, including a record 7-0 hiding.
Germany routed New Zealand 5-2, with Eileen Hoffmann scoring twice for a 3-0 lead by halftime. The Olympic champions led 5-0 within the hour, with New Zealand scoring twice in the last seven minutes for some consolation.
In today’s last decisive set of round-robin matches, the Netherlands face Germany, New Zealand play England and China take on Argentina.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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