Hockey: England secure place in World Cup
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England and China claimed the last two places in next year's Women's World Cup as a result of their victories in the qualifying tournament here yesterday. England overcame Russia 2-1 and China, now England's opponents tomorrow for fifth place, beat Ireland 3-0.
England started brightly, forcing three early penalty corners. Then, in the 15th minute, Jane Smith's powerful drive at another penalty corner was stopped illegally. Denise Marston-Smith beat the Russian goalkeeper comprehensively from the resulting penalty stroke.
Russia's few first-half attacks had been dealt with confidently, but the picture changed after the interval. However, Tina Cullen increased England's lead in the 58th minute. Within two minutes, Vasioukova had pulled a goal back, and England needed several timely saves from Hilary Rose to hold on to the victory.
ENGLAND: H Rose (Univ of Mass); J Empson (Canterbury), K Brown (Slough); K Bowden (Leicester), L Copeland (Slough), L Wright (Olton); M Davies (Sutton Coldfield, capt), M Nicholls (Slough), J Sixsmith (Sutton Coldfield), T Cullen (Hightown), J Smith (Slough). Substitutes used: P Miller (Leicester), D Marston-Smith (Clifton), C Voss (Leicester).
Russia: E Kondrootskaia; I Sviridova; O Nikoleva, N Tchegourdaeva, T Timonina; A Davydtcheva, T Vasioukova, I Piskounova, O Ouchkova; M Tchegourdaeva, E Polovkova. Substitutes used: O Lexina, N Kovalevan.
Umpires: N Kato (Japan), M van Gemert (Neth).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments