The opening day of the Classification Section in Santiago delivered a various storyline, starting from dramatic finishes to dominant attacking shows. Uruguay started the day with an exhilarating comeback sealed within the shoot-outs, Japan proved sharper than Korea from the spot, New Zealand produced their highest scoring output of the match with doubles from Greer Findlay and Pho Riana, Spain managed their match to safe a 3–0 win, and India reaffirmed their intention to battle for ninth place. Chile, in one of many moments most warmly obtained by the house crowd, signed off a 6–1 victory that includes a double from Laura Müller and a high-flow offensive efficiency.
With all match-ups confirmed, the battle for the world title will start on Monday as the highest eight groups enter the quarter-final stage: the Netherlands will open in opposition to England, the USA meet Belgium, Australia tackle China and Germany shut the programme in opposition to Argentina. In parallel, the Challenger Trophy will proceed to take form with two defining fixtures that may assist decide the ultimate construction of the competitors.
Beneath is a full look again at all the things that occurred on the primary day of the Classification Section in Chile.
Uruguay vs South Africa (Full-Time Rating: 1–1) (SO: 3-1)
The opening match of the 9–16 Classification Section noticed Uruguay and South Africa contest a tightly balanced encounter on the artificial floor of the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped on the Estadio Nacional. After a scoreless first half, throughout which Uruguay generated six penalty corners and South Africa responded with circle entries and two PCs of their very own, neither facet managed to interrupt the defensive construction of the opposite. Uruguay elevated their offensive visitors within the third quarter, repeatedly threatening from set items and circle penetrations, whereas South Africa held agency to maintain the match stage.
Within the fourth quarter, South Africa struck first with a discipline purpose from Jodie Blows within the forty seventh minute, capitalising on a deep circle penetration. Regardless of receiving inexperienced and yellow playing cards within the closing levels, Uruguay maintained managed build-up and continued urgent excessive, producing 4 extra penalty corners till Carolina Curcio equalised 1–1 from a set piece within the 57th minute. With each groups defending their 23m space within the ultimate moments, the match moved to shoot-outs, the place Uruguay transformed three of their 5 makes an attempt in opposition to one from their rivals to advance to the following stage.
María Rodríguez, who scored the decisive shoot-out, stated, “It was a really robust match, doubtless not our greatest efficiency however I’m actually completely satisfied we managed to show it round on the finish, equalise it and win it within the shoot-outs, now we have to get well for what’s coming and attempt to depart Uruguay as excessive as potential”.
Japan vs Korea (Full-Time Rating: 2–2) (SO: 4-3)
Japan and Korea delivered a balanced match within the 9–16 bracket, with a goalless first quarter wherein Japan produced the higher attacking quantity and the primary penalty nook of the sport. Korea opened the scoring within the second quarter by way of a discipline purpose by Lee Sugyeong within the seventeenth minute, however Japan equalised at 1–1 within the twenty seventh minute when Ohtsuka Minami transformed a penalty nook following sustained attacking motion. The primary half ended with out playing cards and with either side alternating possession.
After the break, Japan regained territorial management within the third quarter, earned two extra penalty corners and took a 2–1 lead when Saito Hanami transformed within the forty second minute. Korea held a compact block and seemed for aerial retailers underneath stress, lastly equalising 2–2 within the 59th minute by way of Hong Solbeotnara from a set piece. With each groups prioritising defensive organisation within the closing seconds, the match superior to shoot-outs, the place Ai Hiramitsu scored the decisive try to seal Japan’s development.
Japan’s Maruyama Niko advised Watch.Hockey after the match, “the match in opposition to the Koreans was very robust, we’re very completely satisfied to undergo to the following spherical”.
New Zealand vs Austria (Full-Time Rating: 7–2)
New Zealand took management from the outset, opening the scoring within the seventh minute by way of Pho Riana after an early circle penetration. The second quarter introduced sustained attacking movement, with three objectives from Surridge (17′), Emma Findlay (21′) and Pho once more from a penalty nook within the twenty fifth minute. Austria responded within the nineteenth minute by way of Haselsteiner from a well-executed set piece that decreased the margin briefly.
After half-time, New Zealand saved excessive possession, attacked by way of each channels and added three extra objectives: two consecutive strikes from Greer Findlay within the thirty third and thirty sixth minutes — one from a set piece — and the 7–1 from McKenzie within the forty first minute, additionally from a penalty nook. Austria pulled one again within the fourth quarter with a penalty nook purpose from Marie Pelz within the 54th minute, whereas New Zealand managed their defensive construction and managed the rhythm till the tip, securing a end result that retains them firmly within the Challenger Trophy race.
Participant of the Match Greer Findlay stated afterwards, “I’m actually completely satisfied to attain once more; we’ve been working laborious for this and it felt good to search out our rhythm on the floor as we speak”.
Spain vs Eire (Full-Time Rating: 3–0)
Spain entered with willpower and excessive tempo from the primary whistle, making use of quick stress inside Eire’s 23m and producing eight circle penetrations throughout the opening ten minutes. Marta Armenteras broke the impasse within the sixth minute following a transfer down the left, and Marta Alcaraz doubled the lead two minutes later by capitalising on a rebound. Spain maintained robust territorial management into the second quarter, incomes 5 consecutive penalty corners however unable to increase the rating earlier than half-time.
After the break, Spain continued to dominate within the third quarter, accumulating eleven circle penetrations earlier than Alcaraz scored her second purpose of the match within the fortieth minute after sustained stress across the circle edge. Eire held a deep defensive block to forestall additional harm and sought lengthy retailers to generate counterattacks, however Spain managed possession successfully within the closing levels to safe a assured and managed 3–0 victory.
Participant of the Match Sara Carmona Ramos stated, “we have been actually trying ahead to this match regardless of the brief restoration time and the frustration of lacking out on the quarter-finals. We began the match nervous, however we settled nicely. Now we now have a variety of confidence for the following match and to complete as excessive as potential”.
Chile vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Rating: 6–1)
The penultimate match of the day featured the hosts dictating phrases from the outset on this 17–24 Classification encounter of the Challenger Trophy. Chile opened the scoring within the eighth minute by way of Laura Müller, adopted by objectives from Isidora Caravia (10′) and Josefa Lüders (13′), the latter from a penalty nook, in a sequence that included six PCs and 7 circle penetrations. The second quarter introduced additional dominance: 5 extra penetrations and a 4–0 purpose from Catalina Rojas within the twenty second minute, whereas Zimbabwe recorded no penalty corners and only one circle entry all through the half.
Chile maintained territorial management within the third quarter and prolonged the margin to five–0 within the thirty first minute with a discipline purpose from Victoria Arrieta. Within the ultimate interval, the hosts generated 4 extra penalty corners and reached 6–0 when Müller transformed from a set piece within the forty fifth minute, finishing her brace. Zimbabwe responded with their solely purpose — a discipline strike from captain Tinodiwanashe Elijah within the 58th minute — following one among their three circle entries. The closing levels introduced three inexperienced playing cards for Chile and one for Zimbabwe with out affecting the ultimate rating, leaving the hosts able to return on Wednesday, when they may shut the day in opposition to their subsequent opponent, to be determined between Canada and Malaysia.
Participant of the Match Laura Müller stated, “we have been very demanding of ourselves after the final match, which was very robust, so it’s actually good to complete with a win; we would have liked a variety of objectives and we’re very pleased with that, possibly we may have scored another, however it’s effective like this”.
India vs Wales (Full-Time Rating: 3–1)
India took early management of this 9–16 Classification match, producing 5 circle penetrations and one penalty nook within the opening quarter, though the primary main probability fell to Wales with a penalty stroke within the 4th minute that Amy Cradden couldn’t convert. India saved urgent and opened the scoring at 1–0 by way of Bano Hina within the thirteenth minute. The second quarter introduced 9 penetrations and 4 penalty corners for India, who prolonged their result in 2–0 within the twenty third minute with a discipline purpose from Sunelita Toppo. Wales managed just one circle entry and two unsuccessful penalty corners in your complete half.
After the break, India consolidated their territorial benefit within the third quarter with seven extra penetrations and two PCs, including the three–0 within the thirtieth minute when Ishika scored from one other well-executed offensive transition. Wales improved within the ultimate quarter with 5 penetrations and three PCs, scoring within the 51st minute by way of Eloise Moat with a discipline purpose crafted down the appropriate flank. India, who accomplished 27 circle penetrations and eight penalty corners with out changing from the set piece, managed the rhythm within the closing moments and can now compete for ninth place, dealing with Uruguay on Tuesday. Wales will meet South Africa on the identical day.
Participant of the Match Sunelita Toppo stated, “thanks very a lot for this award, we’re taking part in nicely, I attempted to offer my greatest and I’m very pleased with this victory”.
Match Abstract – 7 December 2025
FIH Hockey Ladies’s Junior World Cup Metropolis of Santiago 2025
Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional, Santiago de Chile
Outcome: Match 1
Uruguay 1–1 South Africa (SO 3-1)
Participant of the Match: Jacinta Curutchague (URU)
Umpires: Shane Lewis – Alex Miles
Outcome: Match 2
Japan 2–2 Korea (SO 4-3)
Participant of the Match: Maruyama Niko (JPN)
Umpires: Allison Mikelson – Claudia Montino
Outcome: Match 3
New Zealand 7–2 Austria
Participant of the Match: Greer Findlay (NZL)
Umpires: Juan Pedro Rodríguez – Melina Illanes
Outcome: Match 4
Spain 3–0 Eire
Participant of the Match: Sara Carmona Ramos (ESP)
Umpires: Valerie Koh – Irene Presenqui
Outcome: Match 5
Chile 6–1 Zimbabwe
Participant of the Match: Laura Müller (CHI)
Umpires: Inamoto Minami – McClean Ayanna
Outcome: Match 6
India 3–1 Wales
Participant of the Match: Sunelita Toppo (IND)
Umpires: Ana Ortega – Katie Howie
Supply: FIH.hockey
