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Poland pulls off shock defeat of Japan in Olympic qualifier
Madrid, Mar 04: Spain, Poland and the Netherlands triumph in the second day of hockey Olympic qualifiers.
Madrid, Mar 04: Spain, Poland and the Netherlands triumph in the second day of hockey Olympic qualifiers.
Unrated Poland continued to surprise by taking the initiative against Japan. Twice Japan had to come back from two goals down to end the match with a last ditch equaliser at 4-4. Japan, who lost to hosts Spain 6-1 on Tuesday, meet Great Britain on Friday. Poland go on to play South Africa.
JAPAN Goals: Katayama 2 (FG 14m, 70m), Yamabori (PC 19m), Tobita (PC 61m) POLAND Goals: P Mikula 2 (PC 10m, FG 51m), A Mikula (FG 7m), Z Juszczak (PS 33m) South Africa almost succeeded in containing Spain at the half-time score of 1-1. But Spain's ninth corner and sixth for the half gave Xavi Ribas the opportunity to take the win after the final siren had sounded.
South Africa now go on to play Poland, which they must win to stay in the race for a place at Athens. Spain face their strongest opponent in the Netherlands on Friday. SPAIN Goals: Freixa (PC 28m), Ribas (PC 70m) SOUTH AFRICA Goals: S Evans (FG 5m) Match 9 NED 3 GBR 0
We saw a clinical and risk-free performance from the Netherlands against Great Britain in the last game of day two.
Great Britain had been a bogey side for Netherlands in recent years, although this evening it was all Holland who were rarely troubled in defence, and seem to be building momentum and form in attack, scoring three times throughout the match.
Netherlands next play on Friday against Spain, whilst Great Britain faces a "must-win" match against Japan. A loss to Japan would essentially see Great Britain's hopes of Athens qualification fade away.
NED Goals: Taekema (PC 4m), de Nooijer (FG 31m), van der Weide (FG 64m)
Bureau Report
Unrated Poland continued to surprise by taking the initiative against Japan. Twice Japan had to come back from two goals down to end the match with a last ditch equaliser at 4-4. Japan, who lost to hosts Spain 6-1 on Tuesday, meet Great Britain on Friday. Poland go on to play South Africa.
JAPAN Goals: Katayama 2 (FG 14m, 70m), Yamabori (PC 19m), Tobita (PC 61m) POLAND Goals: P Mikula 2 (PC 10m, FG 51m), A Mikula (FG 7m), Z Juszczak (PS 33m) South Africa almost succeeded in containing Spain at the half-time score of 1-1. But Spain's ninth corner and sixth for the half gave Xavi Ribas the opportunity to take the win after the final siren had sounded.
South Africa now go on to play Poland, which they must win to stay in the race for a place at Athens. Spain face their strongest opponent in the Netherlands on Friday. SPAIN Goals: Freixa (PC 28m), Ribas (PC 70m) SOUTH AFRICA Goals: S Evans (FG 5m) Match 9 NED 3 GBR 0
We saw a clinical and risk-free performance from the Netherlands against Great Britain in the last game of day two.
Great Britain had been a bogey side for Netherlands in recent years, although this evening it was all Holland who were rarely troubled in defence, and seem to be building momentum and form in attack, scoring three times throughout the match.
Netherlands next play on Friday against Spain, whilst Great Britain faces a "must-win" match against Japan. A loss to Japan would essentially see Great Britain's hopes of Athens qualification fade away.
NED Goals: Taekema (PC 4m), de Nooijer (FG 31m), van der Weide (FG 64m)
Bureau Report