After the match against the USA this afternoon, GB skipper Kate Walsh is quoted as saying, “We want to go on to finish fifth in the competition and that is what we are going to do.” At the time she did not know what was going on in the remaining match in Pool A – the match which would decide GB’s opposition this Friday. Australia, who were occupying a surprising third place in Pool A, had the opportunity to climb into a semi-final spot by beating China. But it was two goals by China’s Hongxia Li that had them trailing for much of the match. Second half goals by Casey Eastham and Sarah Young saved them from the ignominy of defeat but still left them in third place, separated from second place China on goal difference. So Great Britain’s opposition will be Australia on Friday, in a curtain raiser to the bronze medal match. Danny Kerry will have to lift his squad after their dismal performance against the USA earlier today if they are to stand a chance against the powerful Australians.
China will play Germany in the semi finals on Wednesday. Germany made heavy weather of their last Pool B match, taking forty minutes to score the only goal of the match, off the stick of Janine Beermann. The other semi final will be between the Netherlands, the only team in the tournament still on maximum points and who beat Spain 2-0 this evening, and Argentina. Pundits had predicted that a win by New Zealand over Argentina was unlikely and they were right. But New Zealand added to their modest goal tally with goals by Ninawa Roberts and Elizabeth Igasan in their 3-2 defeat.
Full results and tables are available at our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk, including details of the crossover matches.
Great Britain’s men play Australia at 13:30 BST in the last of their pool B matches.
