Women’s Pool A
Belgium finished top of the standings thanks to a marginally superior goal difference over the Netherlands, with China and Germany occupiying the third and fourth places respectively.
China bounced back from their opening day loss to Belgium with statement 5-0 win against Asian rivals China, with Zhong Jiaqi, Li Hong, Ma Ning and a double from Gu Bingfeng doing the damage. “There’s a bit of rivalry between Japan and China”, said China head coach Alyson Annan, herself a double Olympic gold medallist with Australia’s Hockeyroos. There’s always that pressure of winning these games, even just for China. But we were dominant.”
Reigning Olympic gold medallists the Netherlands came from a goal down to beat Germany, with Yibbi Jansen and Marijn Veen securing a 2-1 win to thrill the masses of Dutch fans at Yves-du-Manoir. “Germany played a good game and we found it hard to get through”, said Oranje ace Frederique Matla. “After we conceded we started to play with bravery and played our best in the fourth quarter to get the goals we needed.”
Belgium secured a big win over hosts France, with Ambre Ballenghien scoring twice in 5-0 score-line to put the Red Panthers at the top of Pool A on goal difference. Speaking after the match, Charlotte Englebert said: “We are happy to have won two games here at the Olympics, but we are quite self-critical and see things that we want to improve.”
Argentina fire late on
Argentina (6pts) and Australia (6pts) maintained their 100% start to the competition to finish Day 3 joint top of the standings, separated only by goal difference. Spain (4pts) and USA (1pt) currently occupy the third and fourth places, with South Africa (0pts) and Great Britain (0pts) currently sitting fifth and sixth, outside the quarter final qualification spots in fifth and sixth.
Australia exhibited their title credentials by dismantling Rio 2016 gold medallists Great Britain, with Rebecca Greiner, Alice Arnott, Tatum Stewart and Grace Stewart all contributing to a crushing 4-0 scoreline. “That was a big focus for us coming into this game, to start strong”, said Hockeyroo Tatum Stewart. “I think we did that, set the tone of the game early, and we were able to come away with a big win.”
Agustina Gorzelany netted two blistering fourth quarter penalty corners to help Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Argentina turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 victory, a result which put Las Leonas top of the standings on goal difference. “This is crazy”, said Gorzelany about scoring for a second successive Olympic match. “For us, it means a lot to be here. It’s pure love for this shirt and the country. I’m very happy.”
Earlier, Spain and USA played out an entertaining draw, with the result seeing them end Day 3 sitting third and fourth in Pool B respectively. The match was watched by former Philadelphia Eagles NFL star Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie, who played hockey in her youth.
“I know Kylie and met him (Jason) for the first time (the other day)”, said USA goal-scorer Sophia Gladieux. “I played it really cool, gave him a hug and had small talk. The fact that I hugged Jason Kelce, who has probably hugged Taylor Swift who is from my hometown – she is from Berks County – is keeping me up at night. It’s super cool. And I love it.”
Men’s Pool B
Australia joined Belgium on six points from two games as goals from Corey Weyer and Blake Govers earned a 2-1 win over Ireland. “We expected Ireland to fight all the way to the end”, said Australia’s Weyer, noting Ireland’s narrow opening day loss to Belgium. “They have got a lot of pride in their jersey and we expected that, plus it was pretty hot out here.”
Eight times Olympic gold medallists India snatched a point against Rio 2016 champions Argentina, who led until the final minute when Harmanpreet Singh fired home. The result moved India onto four points and puts them third in the table, three points ahead of fourth placed Argentina. “That was a good comeback”, said Harmanpreet. “We’ve been fighting until the last whistle, we had so many chances. We’re glad that we scored a goal.”
