CHINA v ENGLAND, ATA HOLDING CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE

Saturday 16 June 2007

C

England started the game brightly applying pressure to the Chinese defence, who were happy to play deep, absorb the pressure, and counter-attack. Becky Duggan did well to force Song Qing Ling wide of goal, in the 8^th minute after Crista Cullen had been dispossessed. China established the lead from their first Penalty Corner routine in the 12^th minute after the ball had struck Rachel Walker on the foot. Fu Bao Rong flicked the ball to the right and the finishing touch was applied by Ren Ye who stretched every sinew by diving at full stretch. Shortly after, China was awarded their second penalty corner, and they made it two from two when Ma Yi Bo flicked into the bottom corner.

England continued to dig deep and work hard, despite the shock of two goals in quick succession and Crista Cullen stopped a clear goalscoring opportunity with a diving tackle in her own circle. England retained some decent possession but failed to convert into any meaningful circle penetrations.

China took a three goal lead in the 26^th minute after Becky Duggan smartly saved, but quickest to react to the loose ball was Fu Bao Rong who dispatched into the bottom corner. Gao Hi Lua looked unstoppable on the right hand side, the England defence attempted to stop her three times before conceding a penalty corner. Ma Yi Bo scored her second of the game when she produced an unstoppable drag flick from the ensuing penalty corner to take China to a seemingly unassailable four goal lead after 33 minutes.

England started the second half brightly, but again struggled to breakdown the Chinese defence. China was happy to defend deeply and allow England possession, conserving energy in the heat. Rachel Walker tried to emulate the efforts of Ren Ye, by diving to get a finishing touch on a cross, but she fell just short. England were awarded their first penalty corner of the game in the 46^th minute, and awarded a second after another China offence, but they were unable to capitalise on the opportunities.

Xing Qian went through on goal with only Becky Duggan to beat but sent her shot wide of goal, saving further England blushes. Becky Duggan was again busy in the 57^th minute when she did excellently to deny China a fifth goal.

England finally got on the scoresheet in the 60^th minute; Crista Cullen’s flick for goal was headed wide but Alex Danson brilliantly deflected the ball into the roof of the China goal.

England struggled to turn possession into meaningful chances in this game and paid the price for some excellent Chinese counter attacking. They will be disappointed that China’s expertly executed penalty corners made for such a convincing victory.

Coach Danny Kerry said, “China were deserving winners today. Fast in counter-attack and clinical in their three corners gained. We did not cope with the 35 degree heat conditions as a team and did not take care with the ball; as a result, we had to work hard in temperatures which the FIH need to review seriously before there is significant incident.”

Current Table

ATA HOLDING WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE

England Team Selection

Y = Player started match,

SUB = Player was involved in the match but did not start

DNP = Player Did Not Play