India, Chile victorious in semifinals, qualify for HWL Round 3

Canadian weather was at its finest and wettest and all teams combatted torrential rain and a pooling field but the competition level was high just as the stakes were. Canada dropped Trinidad and Tobago by a lopsided scoreline to move to play Mexico for fifth place. India was firing on set pieces to eliminate Belarus and will now join Chile in the final, after Las Diablas edged Uruguay in the other semifinal.

5/7^th Classification: Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago (8-0)

Relegation to the bottom classification games and heavy, heavy rains didn’t seem to dampen the Canadian spirits in their match up against Trinidad and Tobago for 5/7^th placings. Canadian midfielder Hannah Haughn showed no signs of slowing down as the West Vancouver native went on her own into and through the circle to lift her side 1-0 just four minutes in. Shortly after Haughn earned Canada’s first penalty corner and the rebound was put in by Brienne Stairs to double Canada’s lead. Torrential rains and pools of water slowed the game immensely and forced both teams to look for aerials and lifted passes whenever and wherever they could. Canadian defenders Karli Johansen, Danielle Hennig and Shanlee Johnston all got on the board before half time.

The waterlogged pitch did no favors for either team but Canada were able to tack on three more goals for an 8-0 victory. Stairs finished with three goals, while Hennig notched two. Canada will now play Mexico on 9 April for 5/6^th place, while this is end of the World League campaign for Trinidad and Tobago.

Semifinal: India vs Belarus (4-0)

It was a fast-paced start for the first semifinal of the tournament with Belarus pressuring India early and as a result earning two penalty corners. Indian keeper Savita was in fine form despite her team not having played a game in five days. Against the flow it was India that capitalized first as Barla Anupa earned her team’s first penalty corner and Kaur Gurjit’s low flick beat Belarussian keeper Maryna Navitskaya for a 1-0 India lead. In the 20^th minute India were awarded a penalty stroke and captain Rani rang the backboards on a low flick to double India’s lead. Belarus were unable to beat Savita and it remained 2-0 for India entering half time.

Rani Poonam set up her captain for the game’s third goal, also Rani’s third of the tournament, to give India the 3-0 advantage in the 40^th. Belarus had penalty corner chances including shots from each of Ryta Batura and Yuliya Micheichyk but Savita steered all attempts at goal to the side. India earned their fourth goal from the stroke mark as Kaur Gurjit flicked home her second of the game. India finished the game strong with a 4-0 victory and ultimately qualified for the Hockey World League Round 3. 

Semifinal: Chile vs Uruguay (2-1)

South American rivalry was evident right from the opening whistle and the game flowed from end-to-end. Chile earned their first penalty corner thanks to the stick skills of Denise Krimerman, who was also playing in her 100^th match today. Captain Camila Caram’s initial sweep shot was blocked but the rebound was put in by Sofia Walbaum to give Chile the all-important first goal to go up 1-0 in the 13^th minute. The second quarter’s pace slowed down as the team’s traded turnovers in the midfield. Uruguay’s defence was well anchored by Agustina Nieto, while up from Maria Teresa Viana Ache was the most threatening.

The third quarter was at a stand-still as neither team gave much room near their circles. Trailing for most of the game, Uruguay came out firing in the fourth. A penalty corner shot by Carolina Mutilva was perfectly deflected up into the net at the near post by Viana Ache to tie the game in the 47^th minute. Chile responded in the 56^th minute after Krimerman put away a lose ball after a defensive miscue. The Chileans did well to maintain possession and ultimately, securing the second and final spot from this event to the Hockey World League Round 3.

India and Chile move on to the Hockey World League Round 2 final on 9 April at 16:30. Both teams also move on to the Hockey World League Round 3 played either in Johannesburg, South Africa (8-22 July), or Brussels, Belgium (21 June to 2 July). Round 3 will consist of 10 teams at each event, 20 total, all vying for a spot at the Hockey World League Final in Auckland, New Zealand (17-16 November).