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.
Taiwanese tennis star Hsieh Su-wei on Wednesday advanced to the second round of the mixed doubles at the French Open, after she and German partner Mark Wallner defeated Slovenian Andreja Klepac and Briton Lloyd Glasspool in straight sets, despite temperatures exceeding 32°C in Paris, while Taiwan’s top men’s doubles player Ray Ho also reached the second round. Hsieh, who made it to the semi-finals in the mixed doubles at Roland Garros in 2024, and Wallner defeated Klepac and Glasspool 6-3, 7-5 in just more than an hour, converting three of five break points, while holding their opponents to just one conversion
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes. With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
FAST AND LOOSE: Despite command struggles, Ohtani has pitched his way out of trouble after falling behind in counts, which manager Roberts credited to his velocity Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday night tossed six innings of no-hit ball, gave himself an early lead with a home run and still was not satisfied with his performance. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar dropped some expletives that were picked up by the on-field mic as he struggled with his command in a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. He struck out seven, walked four and gave up an earned run in the fourth inning while visibly fuming on the mound. Ohtani (5-2) earned his third consecutive victory. “Just command was off, and I just felt like I was battling the lack of
RSS