FIH Pro League: Chinese women get better of Great Britain
FIH Pro League: Chinese women get better of Great Britain
While the men's team may have failed to qualify for the finals of the FIH Men's Series Finals in Kuala Lumpur, the women, however, kept their national flag flying high with an emphatic 2-1 win ver Great Britain in an away match in London. Though the win may not have helped China move up the standing table, but it has come as a great morale booster for any one that comes from an away match has extra value to it.
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FIH Pro League: Chinese women get better of Great Britain[/caption]
And China recorded a fine FIH Pro League victory on the road on Friday, getting the better of hosts Great Britain at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre. All of the goals came in the third quarter of the match, with Great Britain’s Giselle Ansley netting a penalty corner to cancel out Ou Zixia’s deflected opener before Peng Yang scored what proved to be the winner with a superb penalty corner deflection in the 44th minute.It was China’s third win of the FIH Pro League and sees them remain in eighth position but they have improved their points percentage to 27.8, closing the gap on seventh placed Great Britain - who have 29.2 percent - in the process.
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FIH Pro League: Chinese women get better of Great Britain[/caption]
There were chances for both sides in two very even opening two quarters, but neither side could make the most of their opportunities. Great Britain (WR:2) - who claimed a bonus point in the reverse fixture in Changzhou thanks to a shoot-out victory - largely dominated the second quarter, but China (WR:10) were organised in defence and soak up the pressure throughout.
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The game burst into life in the third quarter, with Great Britain’s Tessa Howard stinging the hands of China goalkeeper Ye Jiao in the opening seconds of a frenetic period. China took the lead rather fortuitously when Ou Zixia’s attempted pass from the right was kicked into her own net by the back-tracking Anna Toman, but Giselle Ansley soon levelled with a low penalty corner effort that clipped the pads of Ye before finding the bottom right corner. However, China restored their lead before the end of the period, with Peng Yang scoring a brilliant penalty corner deflection to give the visitors a lead going into the final period.
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FIH Pro League: Chinese women get better of Great Britain[/caption]
Great Britain put the visitors under great pressure in the fourth quarter but could not get the breakthrough, with China’s defence showing full commitment to claim all three points from the contest.
“It’s hugely disappointing result”, said Laura Unsworth, a player who made her 100th appearance for Great Britain in this match. “In the last few matches we have taken great strides forward, and we need to keep working and training and I think it will come together.”
Result: Women’s Match 41
Great Britain 1, China 2
Player of the Match: Peng Yang (CHN)
-PTC NEWS
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