BHUBANESWAR 12-Jun-2019
Asian Games gold medalists Japan (World Rank 18) and South Africa (World Rank 16) joined hosts India (WR 5) and USA (WR 15) in the semifinals of the FIH Mens Series Finals, defeating Poland (WR 21) 6-2 and Russia (WR 22) 2-1 in respective crossover matches here at Kalinga Stadium Hockey Complex today.
Mexico (WR-39) finished seventh in the eight-team tournament, edging out lowest ranked Uzbekistan (WR 43) 4-3 in a hard-fought match earlier in the day. Mexico goalkeeper Jose Hernandez was adjudged the man of the match and he received a prize of Rs 25,000 from Manoj Kumar Mishra, OSD, Office of the Chief Minister of Odisha.
In the match between Japan and Poland, Koji Yamasaki scored two goals for the winners. However, the Man of the Match award was bagged by his teammate Kazuma Murata. Ryan Julius scored the match-winner for South Africa when their crossover match against Russia seemed to be heading for the first penalty shootout of the tournament.
Austin Smith of South Africa was adjudged the Man of the Match. In the semifinals on June 14, Japan will meet India, while South Africa will face USA. In another match Russia will take on Poland for the fifth place.
RESULTS:
June 12 (Match 12, 7/8 Place): Mexico (Maximiliano Mendez 29-PC, Alexander Palma 30-FG, Yamil Mendez 54-PS, Roberto Garcia 59-PC) beat Uzbekistan (Gaybullo Khyatboev 41-FG, Okhunjon Mirzakarimov 42-FG, Ruslan Satlikov 44-PS) 4-3. MoM: Jose Hernandez (Mexico).
June 12 (Match 12, Crossover): Japan (Shota Yamada 7-PC, Hirotaka Zendana 23-PC, Kenta Tanaka 34-PC, Koji Yamasaki 36-FG, 60-FG, Kenji Kitazato 47-FG) beat Poland (Mikolaj Gumny 7-FG, Mateusz Hulboj 26-FG) 6-2. MoM: Kazuma Murata (Japan).
June 12 (Match 14, Crossover): South Africa (Nqobile Ntuli 40-PC, Ryan Julius 53-FG) Russia (Georgii Arusiia 47-PC) 2-1. MoM: Austin Smith (South Africa).
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PHOTO: Jose Hernandez receives the Man of the Match award from Manoj Kumar Mishra at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 12 June 2019.
