Santiago (1 Dec, 2016): Defending champions the Netherlands pulverised Germany by registering an emphatic 5-0 victory in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile, on Wednesday.
The Dutch, bidding for their third consecutive title here, is joined in the semi-finals by Spain, Argentina and Australia. The Spaniards triumphed 5-3 over England, Argentina downed the United States 2-0 and Australia crushed Belgium 7-2 in their respective quarterfinals encounters.
Saturday’s semi-finals line-up will witness Netherlands and Spain go into action while Argentina takes on Australia.
European champions Netherlands opened accounts in the 11th minute through Marie Burg before the tournament’s leading goal-scorer, Frederique Matla, made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. The Dutch upped the ante after the breather with three more goals via Pleun van der Plas in the 37th and Yentl Leemans in the 56th minute before Matla scored her second of the game with a penalty stroke.
Charlotte Adegeestor, Netherlands forward, said: “We expected a tough game. Germany is always a really tough game for us, it’s a classic game. We were really excited to play today as we have just had two rest days. We had so much energy, we were so excited, and that’s why we won.”
In an eight-goal thriller, Spain dominated against European rivals England. After some early exchanges, Spain took advantage in the 15th minute through Begoña Garcia but England then drew level nine minutes later through a penalty corner converted by Erica Sanders.
Seconds before half-time, Spain’s Belen Ingelsias knocked in a well-executed penalty corner to lead 2-1 by the half-time break.
However, the Spaniards took a remarkable 5-1 after 53 minutes before England went firing on all cylinders again with Megan Crowson scoring a brace – first through a penalty stroke then a penalty corner, albeit it was too late for Englishwomen as Spain held on to progress to the semi-finals.
Spain captain Begoña Garcia, observed: “We are very happy. We knew that it would be a very hard match, but I think we played very well and scored many goals.” Looking ahead she added: “We know Netherlands are a very tough team but we have nothing to lose. We are ready for that game!”
Whilst Argentina was creative in their attacks, the United States was solid in its structure and took the game to the Argentineans. Bianca Donati scored from a penalty corner just before half-time for Argentina and Lucinntineansa von der Heyde then doubled their lead on 49 minutes from open play.
The Australia-Belgium tie got off to a fiery note as the Belgians took the lead after only three minutes through Lien Hillewaert. Australians replied as Rio 2016 star Grace Stewart equalised in the fifth minute.
Madison Fitzpatrick restored Australia’s lead again in the 29th minute but Belgium hit back once again, this time through Joanne Peeters only seconds later. Australia took the lead again in the 48th minute through Ambrosia Malone before Grace grabbed her second of the night after 51 minutes.
Australia went on to score three more goals thanks to Savannah Fitzpatrick, Michaela Spano and Ambrosia Malone.
In Friday’s encounters, Korea plays China and Japan entertains Chile in the 9-12th classification matches while Zimbabwe locks horns with New Zealand and France meets New Zealand in the 13-16 classification schedule.
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