"VAN" (Sports Desk - 03.12.2025) :: Day 2 of the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025 had Argentina as its standout team, opening their campaign with a commanding 13–0 win over Zimbabwe, driven by a relentless attacking volume, a clinical penalty corner unit and hat-tricks from Chiara Ambrosini and Lourdes Pisthon, one of the day's key performers for her influence inside the circle and constant presence in decisive actions.
Australia also delivered a strong statement with their 6–1 win over Canada, while South Africa and Belgium began their campaigns with solid victories against Austria and Wales. England and China shared the day's only draw, a tightly contested 2–2, and Spain closed the programme with a controlled 2–0 win over Scotland, maintaining a disciplined defensive shape without conceding any penalty corners.
Below, we take a detailed look at everything that unfolded on Day 2 in Santiago.
South Africa vs Austria (Full-Time Score: 4–1)
South Africa opened the day in the Chilean capital with sustained rhythm in the first quarter, producing five circle entries and taking the lead in the 10th minute through a field goal by Leah du Plessis. Austria responded in the second quarter with increased presence in the attacking half, finding an equaliser via a penalty corner converted by Katharina Proksch in the 20th minute. Before half-time, South Africa regained momentum and went ahead again with a field goal from Ntsopa Mokoena in the 17th minute after a deep passing sequence.
After the restart, South Africa adjusted their structure and extended their lead early in the third quarter with a penalty corner finished by du Plessis in the 41st minute, managing possession and territorial control during that phase. Austria reduced their circle entries in the second half and were unable to sustain offensive continuity against South Africa's pressure. In the final minutes, South Africa closed the match with another field goal from Mokoena in the 53rd minute, keeping a compact block and managing transitions to secure the 4–1 win.
Team captain Ane Janse said, "I'm very proud of the team, it was a good start to our tournament and important to secure the three points. The key was building as a team, making the connections, and getting the ball into the goal box."
England vs China (Full-Time Score: 2–2)
England began the match on the synthetic surface of the National Stadium with a defined attacking structure, generating seven circle entries in the first quarter and taking the lead in the 13th minute through a field goal by Evie Grindal after a turnover in the high zone. China reacted quickly in the same phase, levelling 1–1 in the 11th minute through Hao Guoting, redirecting a sequence initiated from a penalty corner. In the second quarter, China increased their presence in the attacking third, earning five consecutive PCs between the 24th and 28th minutes, while England maintained their defensive organisation despite a yellow card to Sienna Dunn in the 17th minute.
After half-time, China continued to impose attacking volume and recorded six circle entries early in the third quarter, going ahead 2–1 with a field goal from Zou Lizhe in the 35th minute after a prolonged sequence of set pieces that created gaps in the English defence. England reorganised their controlled build-up in the following phase, while China briefly lost intensity after a green card shown to Jing Keqing in the 36th minute. In the final quarter, England regained territorial balance and equalised 2–2 through a penalty corner finished by Biba Mills in the 48th minute, converting a rebound inside the circle. China added eight more entries in the last phase, but the English defence held firm to preserve the draw.
Australia vs Canada (Full-Time Score: 6–1)
Early in the afternoon in Santiago, Australia imposed their structure from the start on the synthetic turf, generating four circle entries in the first quarter and opening the scoring in the 5th minute with a field goal by Josie Lawton. Their attacking rhythm continued with a second goal in the 14th minute, finished by Camryn Mathison after a deep build-up down the left side. In the second quarter, Australia widened their territorial control, accumulated seven penalty corners and extended the lead with two consecutive goals: a field goal from Makayla Jones in the 15th minute and another from Mihaylia Howell in the 24th. Canada attempted to adjust their controlled exit under Australia's pressure but ended the half without circle entries.
After the break, Canada found their only goal through a penalty corner executed by Kenzie Girgis in the 41st minute, while Australia maintained initiative and restored the margin with a field goal from Jamie-lee Surha in the 33rd minute. In the final phase, Australia generated eleven more circle entries and closed the match with Jones's second goal in the 59th minute, sustaining their defensive shape inside the 23 and managing transitions to confirm the 6–1 result.
Player of the Match Mihaylia Howell said, "We gave a really good game, still building our connections and looking forward to improving for the next match. It was a strong start and important to get the win against a quality Canada side."
Belgium vs Wales (Full-Time Score: 3–1)
In the fourth match of the day, Belgium asserted control from the start on the synthetic field of the Hockey Turf Sports Centre, generating ten circle entries in the first quarter and applying constant pressure on the Welsh defence. Their superiority in set pieces translated into the opening goal with a penalty corner converted by Agathe Favart in the 7th minute, while sustained circulation in the attacking third kept Wales deep. Before the break, Belgium doubled their lead through Alexi Van Remortel in the 18th minute, consolidating a 2–0 advantage built through possession and occupation of the attacking 23.
After half-time, Wales adjusted their structure and reduced the deficit with a penalty corner finished by Amy Cradden in the 43rd minute, producing their strongest offensive phase of the match. Belgium responded by managing the scoreboard with a compact block and controlled transitions, limiting Wales to eight circle entries across the entire match. In the final moments, and after generating further PCs, Van Remortel secured the 3–1 result in the 57th minute, closing out the match through ordered possession.
Player of the Match Louise Dewaet said, "I'm happy with the three points, we deserved the win in a tough match and even though I don't need to score as a midfielder, it's important that we create chances and help the team find the connections to score."
Spain vs Scotland (Full-Time Score: 2–0)
In the penultimate match of Day 2, Spain and Scotland played a controlled contest, with the British side producing nine circle entries in the first quarter against five from the hosts, and neither team earning penalty corners. In the second quarter, Spain adjusted their controlled exit, began governing the attacking circle and opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Anna Gardsjord converted a penalty corner after two consecutive set-piece attempts that consolidated Spanish dominance before half-time.
After the restart, Spain kept a compact structure inside their defensive 23, containing Scotland's transitions and limiting them to three circle entries in each of the last two quarters, without conceding a single PC. With the match at 1–0, a green card to Caterina Nelli in the 50th minute briefly reduced Scotland's pressing capacity, and Spain capitalised by securing possession and sealing the result with a field goal from Victoria Madariaga in the 53rd minute, preserving Carlota Álvarez's clean sheet.
Team captain Teresa Sáenz de Santa María said, "Estamos muy contentas con la victoria, era importante ganar este partido. Empezamos un poco nerviosas, pero nos fuimos acomodando con el paso de los minutos, la clave fue tranquilizarnos, confiar en lo que entrenamos y disfrutar del juego, así llegaron los goles."
Argentina vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Score: 13–0)
Argentina established control from the opening minutes on the synthetic turf of the National Stadium, generating ten circle entries in the first quarter and earning three penalty corners before the 10th minute. The opening goals came through field goals by Catalina Stamati in the 7th minute and Lourdes Pisthon in the 12th, while the 3–0 was consolidated in the second quarter with a penalty stroke executed by Pilar Pisthon in the 19th minute, during a phase in which Argentina maintained territorial dominance and forced Zimbabwe into a deep defensive block with no exit options.
After half-time, Argentina increased their tempo and produced a third quarter with 18 circle entries, sustaining constant pressure through variations in their set-piece plays that extended the margin to 6–0. The final phase confirmed their dominance with another 17 circle entries and six conversions from penalty corners, raising the score to a definitive 13–0 in a performance marked by efficiency, high build-up circulation and immediate recovery after loss. The attacking display included hat-tricks by Chiara Ambrosini and Lourdes Pisthon, braces from Milagros Alastra and Sol Guignet, and goals by Delfina Persoglia, Stamati and Pilar Pisthon.
Player of the Match Lourdes Pisthon said, "Hicimos un buen partido, queríamos empezar ganando y con una buena diferencia de goles, ahora ya pensamos en Bélgica, vamos de menor a mayor, tenemos un poderío de córner corto muy fuerte."
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