Australia, Korea and South Africa were all victorious in their final playoff matches here in hot and humid Athens this morning.
Korea 3 Japan 1 (7th place)
Three goals in seven minutes sealed a confidence boosting win for Korea over a hard working Japan in the opening game of the final day of the women’s competition in Athens. Korea finishes seventh.
Korea looked a more relaxed team than their previous matches, and they enjoyed significant field position advantages for large patches of the game.
Playing in their first Olympic Tournament, Japan were pleased with their eighth placing.
After the match, captain Keiko Miura commented, “Our aim was to participate in the Olympic hockey tournament and reach the highest level that we could. It was a very good experience.”
South Africa 4 Spain 3 ET (9th place)
After leading 3-1 with 23 minutes to go, South African coach Ros Howell felt she had the match in the bag.
An inspired comeback from Spain late in the second half saw two goals scored to force the game into extra time.It was a variation to Jenny Wilson on the right post that broke the deadlock after three minutes of extra time to win 4-3, and saw South Africa finish in ninth place.
A disappointed Spanish coach Pablo Usoz lamented, “We made mistakes in certain matches and the opponents took advantage of them.”
“I think we should have been playing for 5th to 8th”, he said.
Australia 3 New Zealand 0 (5th place)
In searing heat and high humidity, Australia won a rugged encounter with young rivals New Zealand.
Australian captain Katrina Powell scored twice in her final game for Australia in a career of 252 matches and two Olympic gold medals.
Australia finishes fifth, which matches their lowest Olympic finish in their history, last sustained in 1992.
New Zealand were pleased with their sixth placed finish.
“The girls have done an exceptional job in the last two years, being a young team and having new coach. New Zealanders should be proud of what the girls have accomplished,” said New Zealand coach Ian Rutledge.
