Great Britain moved up to fourth place in Pool B as a result of their win over New Zealand this afternoon. They are separated on goal difference by Japan in third place. Japan lost their first match today when they were beaten 2-1 by Argentina. In the other match in the pool, leaders Germany remain the only team on maximum points after a 4-2 win over the USA. This has been a tournament where the team scoring the opening goal has often gone on to lose the match and the USA’s goal in the 27th minute by Tiffany Snow is another example.
Pool A continues to be dominated by Australia and the Netherlands, both of whom remain unbeaten. The two sides meet on Saturday in what may be the match that decides the final winner of this pool. Australia gave struggling South Africa a relatively easy time this evening with a modest 3-0 win, the goals coming from Nickie Hudson, Angela Lambert and Casey Eastham. The Netherlands’ Maartje Paumen was the only scorer in their match against China, inflicting on the hosts their first defeat of the tournament. Spain recorded their first points of the competition with a 2-1 win over Korea, their goals coming from Nuria Camon and Pilar Sanchez.
Great Britain’s men are in action tomorrow evening (Beijing time) when they play South Africa, the latter having a -15 goal difference after only two matches. The women play Japan on Saturday, followed by the USA two days later. Two wins would put GB on ten points. Argentina, in second place, have a relatively difficult match against Germany on Saturday, followed by an easier match against New Zealand on Monday. This gives rise to the distinct prospect that GB could overtake Argentina in the pool and take a semi-final place.
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