Day 2 of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 Oman 2025 witnessed extra thrillers, with two robust contenders rising in Egypt and United States, with each groups successful a second consecutive sport on the trot. Egypt’s win additionally ensured them of a spot within the semi-final that might be performed on Saturday, 22 Feb, whereas USA are one level away from reserving their place within the semi-final, as Austria’s slim win over Scotland retains Pool B fully open going into the ultimate day of pool matches on Thursday, following a relaxation day tomorrow.
China 1 – 1 Poland
For the second day in a row China made a lightning fast begin to the sport, nonetheless, in contrast to in opposition to Egypt yesterday, China managed to get on the board in opposition to Poland early with Chao Jeiming scoring with a again publish faucet in, within the second minute of the sport. Whereas each groups created loads of probabilities within the first half, no extra targets have been scored with each defences holding down the fort and never even conceding a penalty nook, regardless of a number of circle penetrations.
Poland have been extra threatening after the break, successful 6 penalty corners over the course of the second half, however the Chinese language defence, particularly keeper Gu Runze stood agency and saved the Polish out till the ultimate minute. As China appeared to guard their one purpose lead, Polish stress mounted and a poor sort out by Qijun Chen with 5 seconds left on the clock gave Poland a penalty stroke which was promptly smashed in by Gracjan Jarzyński to earn Poland a vital level on the dying to take their tally to 4 factors in two video games.
Chinese language keeper Gu Runze was awarded participant of the match for his stellar efficiency within the purpose that nearly led to a Chinese language win, and ended up incomes them their first level of the match.
Chile 1 – 3 Egypt
An finish to finish begin to the sport noticed Chile capitalise, changing on their first penalty nook of the sport within the sixth minute by a roaring Juan Amoroso drag flick. It took Egypt a number of circle penetrations to attain their opener however once they did it was wonderful with Mohamed Nasr beating 4 defenders and the goalkeeper earlier than passing it to Ahmed Elganaini who had an open purpose to faucet the ball into, leveling the rating at 1-1 which might maintain until the half time.
With a win guaranteeing a semi-final spot for Egypt, they’d an enormous alternative halfway by the third quarter to seize the lead by a penalty stroke, however the often dependable Mahmoud Mamdouh put his effort broad, giving Chile a lifeline. Two penalty nook targets within the ultimate quarter for Egypt lastly put the sport to mattress, making Egypt the primary semi-finalists on the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 Oman 2025!
Mohamed Nasr who created the opening purpose for Egypt together with his magical run was awarded participant of the match, and talking about his help he mentioned: “Ahmed and I play collectively so much together with in membership hockey so we now have a very good understanding. I knew if I may get the ball to him, he can be in the precise place to complete and that’s precisely what he did.”
Scotland 2 – 3 Austria
Scotland have been the stronger of the 2 European sides within the opening exchanges nevertheless it took them till the twenty sixth minute to get the lead when Jamie Golden ripped a drag flick into the highest left nook from Scotland’s third penalty nook of the sport. Austria made some headway late within the ultimate minutes of the opening half by a string of penalty corners, however Scotland’s dashing ensured they entered the half with the lead.
Austria didn’t have to attend lengthy to equalise although, with Moritz Frey discovering Josef Winkler who tapped the ball into an open purpose lower than 5 minutes into the second half. In addition they managed to grab the lead within the ultimate minute of the third quarter, the place a busted penalty nook try nonetheless led to the ball ending up with captain Steyrer who transformed from shut vary. Fulop Losonci added a 3rd for the Purple Capricorns doubling their lead within the ultimate quarter, and whereas Golden scored his second to half the deficit, Scotland couldn’t discover the equaliser, giving all three factors within the essential tie to Austria.
USA 4 – 0 Oman
Following a 10-1 loss on opening day, Oman have been heavy underdogs coming into the sport in opposition to USA, who appeared amongst the strongest contenders on day one. However Oman gave a significantly better account of themselves within the opening half in opposition to USA, particularly within the midfield the place they performed with significantly better management. USA nonetheless managed to get into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead, however Oman had an important probability to go degree with a couple of seconds left within the half from a penalty nook, which was cleared off the road after an almighty scramble.
Two tendencies from their opening match adopted USA into the second sport. First it was a missed penalty stroke that might have doubled their lead early within the third quarter. The second was extra optimistic nonetheless with Sekayi Charasika scoring from a penalty nook for a second sport in a row, doubling the Individuals lead within the third quarter. Charasika added a second and Motta scored within the ultimate minute as USA got here away with the three factors, and only one level away from securing a semi-final spot.
Sekayi Charasika was awarded the participant of the match and gave a shout-out to his teammates, saying: “Actually proud and completely happy at how the group welcomed me into the fold over the previous couple of months. We began coaching collectively in December and to begin the match with 2 wins in 2 video games is an actual pleasure.”
To see the present standings within the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, click on right here.
FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 – 18 February 2025
Hockey Oman Venue, Muscat, Oman
Outcome: Match 1
China 1-1 Poland
Participant of the match: Gu Runze (CHN)
Umpires: Titus Mulwa (KEN), Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS)
Outcome: Match 2
Chile 1-3 Egypt
Participant of the match: Mohamed Nasr (EGY)
Umpires: Jayden Pearson (AUS), Clare Barwood (WAL)
Outcome: Match 3
Scotland 2-3 Austria
Participant of the match: Florian Hackl (AUT)
Umpires: Tyler Klenk (CAN), Sourabh Rajput (IND)
Outcome: Match 4
USA 4-0 Oman
Participant of the match: Sekayi Charasika (USA)
Umpires: Benjamin Messerli (SUI), Sheena Hori (JPN)
by African Hockey Federation
