Saturday 27 / April / 2024
MUSCAT: For a group of girls who hardly knew a word about hockey or even held a stick 18-20 months ago, the achievement of playing in a World Cup could be anything but easy. It was baptism by fire for the hosts, Oman women, as they made their debut in the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 at Hockey Oman Stadium on Wednesday.
Up against Malaysia in their opener, the hosts were given a hockey lesson as they slumped to a 10-0 defeat in a Pool A match.
However, the small fans that had turned up to watch the local girls and the volunteers at the venue cheered them throughout for their display. Oman women did lose the match but won the hearts of many present at the venue on their maiden appearance at the World Cup.
This was also the first time ever that any Oman women team had played in an Olympic sport at a World Cup.
Malaysia’s Muhamad Zati netted four goals while Aziz Zafirah scored three, Mohammed Qhairunisya struck two and Nazeri Dian scored a goal.
Heartbreak for Oman
There was further heartbreak for the hosts in the second game of the day as Oman went down valiantly to Fiji 3-2.
Olaa Al Balushi made history by becoming the first Omani to score a goal in the World Cup when she put in a challenge goal in the 15th minute to put the hosts ahead 1-0 at the half-time.
Two quick goals from Fiji soon after the break set the match for a thriller as Oman equalised with four minutes left through Buthaina Al Farsi.
The match seemed to go for a draw but Divyankar Kumar’s goal with a minute left saw Fiji scrape to a win.
16 games on first day
The opening day witnessed a total of 16 games in four pools with all the 16 teams in action twice from 8am to 8pm.
Ukraine registered a strong start as they claimed two consecutive victories against Australia (6-3) and Zambia (9-0) in Pool B. Tanchenko Anna delivered an outstanding display against Australia as she netted three field goals out of six. Shokalenko Kateryna, Rudychenko Valeriia and Movchan Veronika were the other scorers.
Ukraine then drubbed Zambia with Leonova Karyna scoring four goals. Movchan Veronika, Tanchenko Anna, Shyshyna Anastasiia and Rudychenko Valeriia also had their names on the scorers’ list.
In the same pool, South Africa outclassed Zambia 9-1. Marks Toni struck three goals while Van Wyk Marguerite and Phume Reabetswe got two goals for the South African side.
In the second match, South Africa stunned Australia 6-3 in a thrilling encounter.
It was a strong start for South Africa as they scored in the early minutes of the game as Chamberlain Dirkie registered in the 3rd minute from a field goal. Then Van Wyk Marguerite doubled the lead while Phume Reabetswe and Marks Toni registered the rest of the goals.
The group matches will continue on Thursday with the toppers for each pool advancing.
Wednesday’s results:
Pool A: Malaysia 10 Oman 0, Netherlands 14 Fiji 1, Netherlands 10 Malaysia 0, Fiji 3 Oman 2.
Pool B: Ukraine 6 Australia 3, South Africa 9 Zambia 1, Ukraine 9 Zambia 0, South Africa 6 Australia 3
Pool C: India 5 Poland 4, USA 6 Namibia 1, Poland 5 Namibia 1, India 7 USA 3.
Pool D: New Zealand 4 Thailand 3, Uruguay 10 Paraguay 1, Uruguay 6 New Zealand 1, Thailand 3 Paraguay 1.
