3rd Place Playoff
Japan 4 defeated USA 1
Goals: JPN: Sachimi Iwao FG 9m, Toshie Tsukui PC 27m PC 51m, Kaori Chiba FG 54m; Carrie Lingo FG 29m
Japan finished third after making better use of its scoring chances in a 4-1 win over USA.
The match was finely balanced until midway through the second half, when a pair of quick Japanese goals gave them a three-goal lead and an unbeatable lead.
Japan led 2-1 at that stage and were under intense pressure from USA, who emerged from the half time break determined to claw their way back into the match after Japan had looked the better team for most of the first 35 minutes.
However some defensive lapses, especially turnovers inside their own half, allowed Japan to release the pressure and they capitalised in damaging style with Toshie Tsukui and then Kaori Chiba adding their names to the scoresheet.
While the match ended on a disappointing note for USA, they produced an impressive tournament overall, finishing second in Pool B to secure qualification for the World Cup by the midway point of the tournament.
Japan’s effort in the tournament was equally impressive and they have emerged as a high quality team that plays attractive hockey.
5th Place Playoff
China 3 defeated France 1
Goals: CHN: Zhou Wan Feng FG 3m, Ren Ye FG 42m, Ren Ye FG 61m; FRA: Alicia Minet FG 70m
China earned the fifth and final World Cup qualifying berth with a 3-1 victory over France in the 5th/6th place match.
Zhou Wan Feng ended most of the suspense early with a reverse stick shot from the top of the circle in the third minute of play. France was able to keep China within striking range, but was never able to serious threaten throughout the remainder of the first half.
China clinched its spot in the World Cup in the second half when Ren Ye padded the lead field goals in the 42nd and 61st minutes to end France’s upset hopes.
France avoided the shutout in the final minute when Alicia Minet swept into the circle and scored the consolation goal as time expired.
The world’s No. 5 ranked team, China took an auspicious route to earning a trip to a third consecutive World Cup after finishing third in Pool A during the preliminary round. Relegated to playing for the final available spot in Madrid, China dismantled Ireland 6-0 in crossover play before defeating France to earn its World Cup ticket.
For the 21st –ranked France team, the loss ended its dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1981. The team’s 6th place finish was the best ever for France in World Cup Qualifier competition having placed 9th in 1989, 12th in 1993 and 8th as the host nation in 2001.
Championship final
England 2 defeated Korea 1
Goals: ENG – Rebecca Herbert FG 59m, Lucilla Wright FG 65m; KOR – Mi Seon Kim FG 43m
England claimed its second straight World Cup Qualifying Tournament title with a 2-1 win over Korea in the championship match.
Rebecca Herbert and Lucilla Wright scored goals in the final 10 minutes to give England the victory.
After a scoreless first half, Korea took the lead early in the second stanza when Mi Seon Kim pushed a pass off of England defender Crista Cullen and into the England goal for a 1-0 lead.
The goal stood through much of the second half until Herbert deflected a pass from Helen Richardson into the Korea goal with 10 minutes remaining in the game. England stromed back five minutes later when Wright drilled a shot from the left top of the circle to give England the victory.
With the win, England completed a undefeated qualifier campaign and adds the 2006 championship to the title the team won in 2001 in Amiens, France.
Korea suffered its only loss of the tournament in the final game and joins England, third place Japan, the United States and fifth place China in qualifying for the World Cup.
