by Hockey Supporter
20. June 2009 04:32
Japan defeated Egypt with a late game winning goal and gained the final ranking 13. Singapore celebrated their first victory today. They beat the USA 3:1 and turn 19th.
Japan defeat Egypt with a late game winning goal
In today’s classification match for the ranks 13 and 14 Egypt had the better start. They gained their first penalty corner in minute 6 where Hamada Atef converted the second rebound. Only three minutes later Japan demonstrated that their penalty corners were as good as Egypt’s and equalized. Captain Ryota Kubo was the scorer. Afterwards the game mainly took place outside both circles. The next dangerous situation was Japan’s second penalty corner in the 32nd minute but Egypt’s goalkeeper Ahmed Sayed made a big save.
In the second half Japan put pressure on Egypt and the match seemed to be played only in one direction. However, an excellent Ahmed Sayed stopped Japan’s attempts every time. But four minutes before the final whistle he had no chance when Kenji Kitazato shot Japan’s fifth penalty corner into the goal. All three goals in the match were penalty corner goals only.
Japan finish 13th after this win. Egypt reach the 14th rank in the Standard Chartered FIH Men’s Junior World Cup.
Japan v Egypt 2:1 (1:1)
0:1 Hamada ATEF (PC) 1:1 Ryota KUBO (PC), 2:1 Kenji KITAZATO (PC)
Singapore beat USA and turn 19th
Singapore celebrated their first victory in their last game. With a convincing performance they defeated the USA 3:1. The game for the 19th rank was a very close one. Both teams got their opportunities and bothered to score. In the 29th minute Singapore took the lead through a penalty corner goal. US-goalkeeper Kevin Segeren was able to save two attempts but could not do anything about the third one. Johnson Sivalingam waited at the left post and converted.
Closer to the halftime whistle the sky turned dark and lightning and thunder overcame the Sengkang stadium. But the thunder-storm did not start and the match finished.
Just five minutes were played in the second half when Enrico Elifh Marican increased Singapore’s lead out of a crowded circle. USA fought to get back into the game and tried to put the hosts early under pressure. While USA concentrated on attacking Singapore got always dangerous through counter-attacks. The 3:0 scored by Johnson Sivalingam again was a counter-attack goal. US-team captain Jonathan Ginolfi brought some hopes back when he converted a penalty stroke in minute 60.
To sum up the Singaporeans played more clever than they did in their last match versus the USA which they lost just two seconds before the final whistle. It seemed that Singapore had learned from the fault they made last time. Today they kept attention till the final whistle went and earned the victory which means rank 19.
USA v Singapore 1:3 (0:1)
0:1 Johnson SIVALINGAM (PC), 0:2 Enrico Elifh MARICAN (FG), 0:3 Johnson SIVALINGAM (FG), 1:3 Jonathan GINOLFI (PS)
India win 4:0 over Poland and turn 9th
In tonight’s match India proofed that they would have been able to compete in the medal round. With a clear 4:0-victory over Pool H winner Poland India occupied the 9th place in the final ranking although the beginning of the game for rank 9 and 10 was actually a closer competition than expected. The favoured Indians needed some time to get into the game. Poland played organised and well structured and gave India nearly no space.
Nevertheless India scored the first goal in the 18th minute when Mohd Amir Khan was successful out of a busy circle. The 2:0 followed through a penalty corner goal. The halftime whistle went already but the short corner was still played of course. Poland saved the first one but the umpires awarded another one due to a mistake of a Polish player. The first shot was saved again however the second attempt found its way into the goal.
In the second half India’s Danish Mujtaba received a pass from his team-mate in front of the goal. Mujtaba did not hesitate and deflected the ball into the goal. The 4:0 was a similar situation like the prior goal India scored. This time it was Birendra Lakra who waited for a pass. As soon as he received it, he smashed the ball immediately into the net. It was obviously in the faces of the Polish players that this goal destroyed all left hopes. In spite of being 4:0 in front India kept on attacking but Poland did all they could do to protect their circle.
India v Poland 4:0 (2:0)
1:0 Mohd Amir KHAN (FG), 2:0 Karan JAY (PC), 3:0 Danish MUJTABA (FG), 4:0 Birendra LAKRA (FG)
(source: worldhockey.org)
