Day 7 of the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 Women’s in Montevideo featured a Pan American Region semifinal match-up between Uruguay and Mexico. Uruguay tried to score very early off runs by Florencia Norbis and Mercedes Coates, but Mexico’s keeper Jesus Castillo was ready. For much of the first period, Uruguay dominated possession, but Mexico’s defense prevented Uruguay from generating more attacking plays. Led by Dafne Carmona in the defensive end, Mexico tried to get the ball up the pitch. Captain Michel Navarro had a chance to move onto attack, but the Uruguayan defense was too strong. Late in the first half, Uruguay received a couple penalty corners, but could not capitalize. Thus, the match remained scoreless going into the second period.
Defender Agustina Nieto and Captain Sofia Mora in the midfield continued to try to work the ball around the Mexican team. Early in the second period, Marlet Correa had a run on attack for Mexico, but Nieto quickly regained possession. Navarro was able to get past Nieto and Mexico continued to try to move into their attacking circle. Mexico earned a penalty corner, but Paselle Decia, Uruguay’s keeper, was there for the save.
Under a hard rain that appeared midway through the second period, Lucia Laborde supported Nieto in the backfield as the Uruguayan defense continued to keep play in their attacking half. Uruguay’s persistence paid off and they came up with a penalty corner. Castillo again came up with a save, but Uruguay’s Lucia Lamberti was there for the put back in the 27th minute to give her team the lead. Lamberti, however, then received a green card. Uruguay’s Constanza Barrandeguy that Mexico would not capitalize as she scored for Uruguay make the score Uruguay two, Mexico nill at halftime.
The hard rain continued in the third period. Uruguay continued their attacking intensity and quickly stifled any possession by Mexico. Mexico did not let up and Marlet Correa’s persistence to attack paid off with a penalty corner. Again, Paselle Decia was there to make the save in front of a roaring crowd. Mexico, however, kept play in their attacking half. In the 39th minute, Mora and Mexico’s Jessica Sanchez were awarded green cards. In the third period, while Mexico was unable to capitalize, play was only in Uruguay’s attacking half for the final minutes of the third period.
The fourth period started with both teams really fighting for possession. Barra In the 48th minute, Uruguay’s Federika Kempner received a yellow card. Mexico looked to capitalized and pressured on attack. Marlet Correa continued to be all over the pitch for Mexico. Mireya Bianchi also continued to play solid defense for Mexico that helped keep play in Mexico’s attacking half. Mexico’s hard work was awarded with a penalty corner late in the fourth period. Uruguay prevented Mexico from executing their penalty corner play. Mexico continued to pressure and play was down in their attacking end for the final minutes of the match. Uruguay held off another Mexico penalty corner; and earned a penalty corner as time expired in the match. As the penalty corner went wide, Uruguay came away with the two-nill win and earn a place in the Hockey World League Round 2 Final against Italy. Mexico will play Azerbaijan for third place.
In the other Day 7 semifinal match, the European nations of Italy and Azerbaijan battled for a chance in the final match. Italy controlled the possession from the start and earned the first penalty corner of the match midway through the first quarter. The shot hit the top crossbar of the goal, but Italy quickly regained possession. Italy soon earned a second penalty corner, but Agata Wybieralska’s shot was blocked by Azerjaiban keeper Saadat Nuriyeva. Nuriyeva made more saves to keep Italy from scoring. Maria Garraffo and Giuliana Ruggieri kept trying to generate attack with Marcela Casale Lhez in the midfield, but Azerbaijan’s solid defensive play held off the Italian attack to keep the match scoreless at the end of the first period.
To start the second period, Azerbaijan was able to have more possession, but Mahira Amhadova struggled to keep the ball down near Azerbaijan’s attacking circle. Casale Lhez then found the back of the net for Italy to give her team the lead in the 20th minute. Italy continued to pressure on attack. After a few shots that went wide, Garraffo tapped in a well-crossed ball to increase Italy’s lead by two goals in the 27th minute. The score remained Italy 2, Azerbaijan nill at halftime.
Azerbaijan had their best attacking opportunity in the opening minutes of the third period, but Martina Chirico, Italy’s keeper, came up with the save. Tatyana Kyianycheko and Anastasiya Tsyganska tried to keep the ball in Azerbaijan’s attacking end, but Italy kept coming up with the ball. Nuriyeva made more saves to keep of the Italian attacking pressure. Azerbaijan continued to have spurts on attack and earned their first penalty corner of the match midway through the third period, but the shot went wide. Garraffo then scored her second goal of the match off a penalty corner to give Italy a three goal lead in the 42nd minute. Azerbaijan withstood further attacking pressure to keep the score Italy three, Azerbaijan nill at the end of the third period.
Italy continued their attacking pressure in the fourth period. Tamila Xazri and Kyianycheko continued to try to block up or transition the ball through the midfield for Azerbaijan. Ruggieri put in a penalty stroke in the 52nd minute to make the score Italy four, Azerbaijan nill. Dalila Mirabella continued to take shots for Italy, but Nuriyeva continued to make saves to prevent Italy from increasing their lead. Thus, Italy came away with the four-nill win over Azerbaijan to advance to the Final against Uruguay.
