The quadrennial women's hockey world cup opened yesterday in
Madrid, Spain, with China, second runners-up at the last
tournament, losing to England 3-2 in their first group match.
In a bid to reclaim their former glory days?- they won the
2002 Champions Trophy, Asiad Champions title and ended in fourth
place at the 2004 Athens Olympics?- China recalled the retired
veteran trio of goalie Nie Yali, defenders Huang Junxia and Chen
Zhaoxia.
However, the side that impressed the world with a silver medal
at the Champions Trophy competition in July, just couldn't seem to
get a grip on their over-enthusiasm to win the first round-robin
game last night.?
England controlled much of the game, attacking throughout the
match. Alex Dawson scored at the 15th minute to give England the
lead. Penalty-corner play used to be the highlight of China's game
but they only scraped two chances during the first half, one of
which was squandered. But Chinese captain Ma Yibo redeemed the day
when she whacked the second penalty to equalize.
Their joy was short-lived because Lucilla Wright made it 2-1
just two minutes later and England held on to their one-goal lead
until the break.
China managed to find their attack rhythm early in the second
half when Ren Ye netted an equalizer at the 35th minute. But the
English players kept up the pressure with Crista Culen eventually
scoring the winner at the 55th minute.
"The way China plays suits our style of hockey and we managed to
build pressure as the match went on. I am very pleased with my
team; they were magnificent," beamed England coach Danny Kerry.
"We didn't play well today," said China's South Korean coach Kim
Chang-back, adding: "We had team-play troubles and also problems
both physically and mentally."
This first-round loss has cast doubt on China's chances of
advancing because they are grouped with Athens Olympics champions
Germany, runners-up the Netherlands, and 1992 Olympics champions
and host Spain in Group A. China meets Spain on Friday.
China lost both the two matches they had with Germany this year
and are tied 1-1 with the Netherlands. According to competition
rules, only the top two teams in the group will progress to the
semifinals.
In other opening games, Spain upset Germany 1-0, favorites the
Netherlands beat India 3-2, Australia edged out South Africa 1-0,
South Korea beat Japan 2-1, and Argentina took a 2-1 win over the
US.
The Women's Hockey World Cup, a quadrennial event established in
1972, runs until October 10.
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, September 28, 2006)
