The ‘Red Sticks’ beat Korea and meet India in the round of 16
Spain closes the World Cup group stage with its second victory in Terrassa
MADRID, 7 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s field hockey team beat Korea (1-4) this Thursday in the last match in Group C of the World Cup that is being played in Terrassa, the second victory that brings them to the round of 16 against India.
Spain got up from the defeat on Sunday against Argentina to leave a solid performance against the Asians and finish second in the group, knowing in advance that they had to go through the tie while the Argentines had the ticket to the quarterfinals.
Those of Adrian Lock left an insistent and vertical performance against the Korean wall, with goalkeeper Jinmin being the best of her team. With a 1/14 in ‘penalty-corner’, Spain lacked accuracy, but did not relax, as it did against Canada in the first game of ‘their’ World Cup.
After several minutes of total siege by the host, Begoña García opened the scoring in the 7th minute after a great play by Sara Barrios. Lucía and Gigi once again led the game for the current world bronze, marked by strong pressure from above.
Korea responded in the first they had, with Seungju 1-1, although it was Candela’s own goal, and the end of the first quarter was for the Asians. Spain realized that they could not neglect their concentration for a moment and returned to accumulate offensive actions and a lot of ‘penalty-corner’.
The eighth time was the charm, with Xantal Giné making it 1-2. Spain forgave but just after the break, Lucía Jiménez shot the 1-3. The beginning of the last quarter was a leading role for Melanie García under the sticks, preventing Korea from getting into the game, while Sara Barrios rounded off her great game with a beautiful individual play and the 1-4.
Spain will play its match against India on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals, a rival that travels from Amstelveen (Netherlands), the other World Cup venue so far.
DATASHEET:
–RESULT: SOUTH KOREA, 1 – SPAIN, 4. (1-2, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT:
SOUTH COREA: Jinmin (P), Minji, Jungeun, Eunbi, Jina, Su Ji, Yuri, Jeong In, Suyoung, Hyejin, Hojeong, Cheyoung, Yujin, Hyunji, Sujin, Seona, Seungju, Eunji (P).
SPAIN: Melanie García (P), Candela Mejías, María López, Xantal Giné, Laura Barrios, Beatriz Pérez, Gerogina Oliva, Lucía Jiménez, Sara Barrios, Torres-Quevedo, Belén Iglesias, Marta Segu, Amundson, Maialen García, Clara Ycart, Begoña García, Laia Vidosa and Jana Martínez (P).
–GOALS:
0 – 1, min.7, Begoña García.
1 – 1, min.11, Seungju.
1 – 2, min.19, Xantal Giné.
1 – 3, min.32, Lucia Jimenez.
1 – 4, min. 52, Sara Barrios.
–REFEREES: Hannah Harrison Hannah and Amber Church.
–FIELD: Terrassa Olympic Stadium.