Our picture from Daniel Carson in Rosario shows coach Danny Kerry and his team looking on during the penalty stroke competition that decided the semi final. Only the most hopelessly optimistic England supporter could have believed that England had a chance against the Dutch in the semi-final of the Women's World Cup in Rosario. But it was a close run thing and England deserve great credit for a bravura performance against one of the world's top sides.
England managed to survive the first half without conceding a goal, despite The Netherlands having the better part of the possession and more than a few opportunities at penalty corners. But Crista Cullen's courageous running out managed to staunch most of Maartje Paumen's attempts at corners, and the few that got through were gloved away by Beth Storry in goal.
It was very much against the run of play when, 20 minutes into the second half, England opened the scoring when a Crista Cullen cross from the right was deflected past Jpyce Sombroek in the Dutch goal. At 1-0 up England appeared to be in the ascendency, but a 60th minute penalty corner saw Paumen's strike deflected by Janeke Schopman and into the back of the England net.
The remainder of ordinary time and two periods of extra time saw no resolution of the issue and so it went to penalty strokes with the score at 1-1.
England's third stroke, taken by captain Kate Walsh, was saved, as was Charlotte Craddock's effort. At 3-2 to the Dutch, Lidewij Welton's effort was saved brilliantly by Storry, and Chloe Rogers closed the gap to 3-3 with England's final stroke. England supporters held their breath as Kim Lammers stepped up to take The Netherlands' fifth stroke and, although Storry got a touch on the ball, it landed in the England net. Final tally of penalty strokes, 4-3 to the Dutch.
England will now play in the bronze medal match on Saturday, against the winner of the other semi final between Argentina and Germany.
Earlier in the day, Japan played Spain to see who would take the tournament's wooden spoon. A goalless first half was followed by a penalty corner goal from Spain's Montse Cruz. Ai Murakami equalised for Japan ten minutes later and, with less than two minutes left, Kaori Chiba scored the winner for Japan.
The result of the other semi final will appear on our blog tomorrow. All the results of the final matches of the tournament will be posted on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk.
