Nations Cup: Favourites Spain Have Good Begin

Quick begin for favourites on day 1 of the inaugural FIH Hockey Ladies’s Nations Cup Spain 2022

Spain and India got here into the FIH Hockey Ladies’s Nations Cup Spain 2022 as the 2 prohibitive favourites, and justified that standing by placing on dominant shows of their contests in opposition to Eire and Chile, respectively, to take all 3 factors of their opening encounters. 
Japan joined Spain and India on three factors after securing a carefully contested victory within the ultimate recreation of the day, in opposition to a younger South African aspect, with lower than 5 minutes left within the encounter. 
Earlier, within the opening encounter of the Nations Cup, Korea and Italy couldn’t be separated as each groups took one level every from the draw, giving Spain a 2 level lead on the prime of Pool A. India and Japan each finish day 1 with 3 factors every in Pool B, with India holding first place over Japan, because of their higher aim distinction. 

Match 1: Korea vs Italy 1-1
A cautious affair within the opening encounter of the FIH Hockey Ladies’s Nations Cup, as Italy took a helpful level in opposition to greater ranked Korea. Korea and Italy are two groups that aren’t used to taking part in one another with common frequency assembly just for the fourth time in over a decade and each groups took their time adjusting to the tempo of their opponents. Italy had been faster off the block successful, 3 penalty corners on counter assaults, and changing certainly one of them to take the lead. Captain Federica Carta gave Italy the lead within the sixth minute, however Korea had been again degree in 5 minutes by their captain Eunbi Cheon. Cheon put the of completion to a improbable attacking transfer that noticed the ball zip between 3 gamers earlier than falling to her on the far aspect, with an open aim to position the ball into.  
Neither aspect dedicated giant numbers to assault to attempt to snatch the lead within the second half, and whereas Korea had some half-chances, Italian protection held agency, and cleared their traces with confidence to earn an enormous level within the Pool A conflict. 
Eunbi Cheon, whose aim introduced Korea degree within the first half, was awarded participant of the match and mentioned: “We’re proud of the purpose, as a result of it was not a straightforward match, with Italy taking part in good hockey.”

Match 2: Spain vs Eire 2-0 
Spain and Eire got here into the event among the many favorites for the title and their excessive octane conflict didn’t disappoint. Spain struck early in each halves by penalty corners, to win the sport 2-0, however Eire gave a fantastic account of themselves with a powerful attacking efficiency that was solely bettered by an much more spectacular Spanish protection, that refused to be breached right now! 
Clara Ycart opened the scoring for Spain with a low drag flick at an uncomfortable top for the Irish keeper within the second minute of the sport. Eire had loads of spells of possession and territory, however couldn’t make it rely as an organized Spanish protection repelled each try at a shot heading in the right direction. Spain began the second half effectively, as soon as once more incomes an early penalty nook. Lucia Jimenez went for a low shot, however it was deflected over a sprawled keeper, by Alejandra Torres-Quevedo, doubling Spain’s benefit early. Spain seemed extra prone to rating within the third quarter, however Eire got here again at them once more within the 4th, to attempt to discover a gap aim to trigger Spain some fear. The Spanish protection, which is thought for its solidity, proved their mettle by staving off waves of Irish assaults and sealing a clear sheet and all three factors. 
Alejandra Torres-Quevedo, who had a dominant efficiency within the midfield and scored the second Spanish aim was awarded the participant of the match and mentioned: “It’s superb to start out the event at dwelling with a win. Eire is a tricky staff, so we anticipated a tricky match and that’s what we obtained, in order that makes the win even higher for us.”

Match 3: India vs Chile 3-1
India put in an offensive masterclass, using a excessive press in opposition to their Chilean opponents all through the 60 minutes, to register a dominant win, the place the one error that got here was after they conceded a 3rd quarter penalty nook aim, when defender Udita deflected a wayward shot, into the aim, by the legs of Savita.
India got here racing off the gates, getting into the Chilean circle thrice within the opening two minutes, and opening the scoring within the third minute as Sonika made a mazy run from the best and despatched a ball flashing throughout the aim to seek out Sangita Kumari who had an empty aim to faucet the ball into. India then repeated the very same transfer once more within the eleventh minute with Sonika this time on the receiving finish of one other tap-in. Chile’s makes an attempt at taking part in out from the again had been thwarted as Indian threatened to run away with the sport typically discovering themselves within the Chilean circle with a number of choices, though a mix of passing and ending stopped them from growing their first half lead. 
India maintained their depth within the second half and located a 3rd aim as Neha obtained a excessive ball within the circle and calmly put it into the trail of Navneet who noticed the keeper sprawl herself and lifted her shot over her and into the aim. Chile lastly discovered an entry into the Indian circle and gained a penalty nook within the forty fourth minute. A flick by Fernanda Villagran which was headed away from aim deflected off Udita’s stick and went in, however the aim was little greater than a comfort as India regained their composure and noticed out the sport. 
Sonika who arrange the primary Indian aim and scored the second was awarded the participant of the match and mentioned: “It’s good to start out the event with a win. Chile are a quickly bettering staff, so we got here up with a plan and caught to it and caught to our strengths all through the sport. The plan going ahead would be the similar too.” 

Match 4: Japan vs South Africa 2-1 
The final time Japan and South Africa met, was within the group stage on the FIH Hockey Ladies’s World Cup earlier within the 12 months the place they performed a extremely entertaining 3-3 draw. The rematch between the 2 within the Nations Cup threatened to provide one other tie, with Japan taking an early lead within the first quarter and South Africa equalizing quickly after. However a smashing shot by Mai Toriyama with 5 minutes to go made the distinction as Japan grabbed all three factors in opposition to a younger South African aspect. 
Japan dominated the opening exchanges and will have been up by 3 targets inside the primary 5 minutes, however younger South African goalkeeper Anelle van Deventer stored South Africa within the recreation. Japan lastly managed to take the lead as a penalty nook was deflected in off a South African stick. Japan stored looking for a second aim, however it was South Africa who scored the subsequent aim, as Ntsopa Mokoena sprinted down the left wing and confirmed nice expertise to run alongside the baseline and discover captain Quanita Bobbs, who lifted the ball over the keeper and into the aim.
The rhythm of the sport settled down after the frenetic begin, and neither staff produced huge scoring alternatives. However simply as the sport seemed prefer it was heading for a tie, Mai Toriyama discovered capturing house within the South African circle and compelled a shot in from a good angle to win the sport for Japan. 
South African teen Ntsopa Mokoena, who was extraordinarily spectacular in assault and arrange the equalizing aim for her staff, was awarded participant of the match and mentioned: “I feel the ladies performed very well and we had a very good recreation regardless of the outcome. We are going to maintain at it for the subsequent recreation.” 

FIH Hockey Ladies’s Nations Cup Spain 2022 

11 December 2022 Outcomes

End result: Match 1
Korea 1-1 Italy
Participant of the Match: Eunbi Cheon
Umpires: Durga Devi (IND), Junko Wagatsuma (JPN), Ana Faias (POR-video)

End result: Match 2
Spain 2-0 Eire
Participant of the Match: Alejandra Torres-Quevedo
Umpires: Xiaoying Liu (CHN), Kristy Robertson (AUS), Junko Wagatsuma (JPN-video)

End result: Match 3
India 3-1 Chile
Participant of the Match: Sonika
Umpires: Mariana Reydo (ARG), Magali Sergeant (BEL), Xiaoying Liu (CHN-video)

End result: Match 4
Japan 2-1 South Africa 
Participant of the Match: Ntsopa Mokoena
Umpires: Vilma Bagdanskiene (LTU), Natalia Lodeiro (URU), Ymkje van Slooten (NED-video)