Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup: Asian Games champion suffer Korea suffers humiliating defeat
It rained goals on second day of Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup on Sunday as the defending champions the Netherlands scored seven times in 23 minutes to trounce Asian Games champions South Korea 7-0 in a pool A game. Later, Commonwealth Games champions New Zealand overcame 1-2 deficit to defeat Belgium 4-2 in a pool D game. The humiliating defeat for Korea was in continuation of defeats siuffered by other Asian teams in the tournament. Earlier, China had suffered a shock 0-3 defeat at hands of Italy while Japan fought back gallantly from 0-3 to end with a 2-3 reverse at hands of Australia. Only Asian team to salvage some pride and honour has been India that took a point from defending Olympic champions England on the first day of the tournament with a 1-1 draw. The defending champions started aggressively scoring almost at three minutes a goal rate in the first half. By the time first quarter ended, the Netherlands was 5-0 up with goals from Fredreque Malta (Ist and 11th minutes), Lidewj Welten (fourth minute),Kittyvan Male (9th and 23rd minutes), Kelly Janker (14th minute) and Laurien Leurink (17th minute). The Netherlands could have taken the tally further but for narrow misses as a couple of goal bound shots hit the cross piece or the pole and bounced back into play. But after conceding seven goals in first 23 minutes, Koreans fought gallantly and prevented any further goals. Five goals in nine minutes saw the game between the Commonwealth Games champion New Zealand and Belgium changing domination. New Zealand took the lead in the 24th minute through a penalty corner goal by Smith Keljey which was neutralised by Levise Versavel in the 28th minute. Just before the teams broke for the interval, Jill Boon put the Belgians ahead with a field goal. After change of ends New Zealand scored twice in the 32nd minute, first by Shlioh Glown and then by Olivia Merry. First was a penalty corner conversion and the second a brilliant field goal. In the 54th minute Olivia Merry scored again, this time by conversting a penalty stroke to complete the tally for Kiwis. After a rest day on Monday, the games resume on Tuesday.
