"VAN" (Sports Desk - 08.03.2026) :: It was an absolutely thrilling day for hockey in Santiago, Chile at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifier.
On the women’s side, Australia got the job done over Ireland, while Chile defeated Japan in shootouts, to lock down FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 qualification.
Ireland and Japan will play tomorrow for a chance at third and a World Cup qualification.
With wins today, France and Malaysia will face off in the women’s fifth place match. Canada and Switzerland will play for seventh.
The men’s seventh place title was decided in shootouts, seeing Chile finish out with a win over Korea.
The Scotland men took fifth, propelled by four goals from Jamie Golden against Canada.
(Women’s) France 3 – 0 Canada
Canada put up a fight in the first half but could not withstand a France attack that opened up its scoring in the second.
In the 34th minute, Emma van der Zanden became the first France player to score against Canada, with a redirection off a penalty corner shot. With renewed confidence, France continued to press, earning another two set piece chances and seeing Mathilde Duffrene convert the second.
The final quarter saw more frustration for Canada and a third goal for France, a set piece finished by Pauline Varoqui.
France’s Yohanna Lhopital was named player of the match. “We were really happy to win today against Canada,” said Lhopital. “And also to rebound after the non-qualification to the World Cup.”
(Women’s) Malaysia 3 – 1 Switzerland
Despite a start seemingly in favor of Switzerland, Malaysia would be the first to strike, capitalizing on an error in the 25th minute. Siti Mohd scored on the penalty corner, and Fatin Sukri did the same just a minute later to put Malaysia up 2-0.
The third quarter saw sustained pressure from Malaysia, which finally paid off when Nur Azhar notched the third goal. The next tally, however, would come from Switzerland, off a rare penalty corner chance in minute 43, finished by Sofie Stomp.
Even after electing to substitute their goalkeeper for an extra field player in the fourth, Switzerland was unable to score again.
Malaysia captain Juliani Din was named player of the match. “Great game today,” said Din. “It’s not easy, but we got the three points.”
(Men’s) Korea 0 – 0 (1 – 3 SO) Chile
Chile finished out the tournament with a shootout win over Korea to claim seventh place.
An even first half between Korea and Chile went without a goal on either side, despite seeing a bit more chances from the hosts, including eight fruitless penalty corners.
Korea started off the second half with a different pace, putting on some pressure, but Chile matched their energy, and the third quarter met another scoreless end.
As the 10-minute warning came and both teams were desperate for a goal, the play opened up significantly. A turnover in the final minutes looked to be the golden opportunity for Korea’s Seyong Oh, but the chance was saved by Chile goalkeeper Adrián Henriquez. The 0-0 match would be decided in shootouts, with Korea defending first.
Chile’s Jose Hurtado put the host team up with a nifty spin move, while goalkeeper Agustin Araya—substituted in for Henriquez—made the first save. In the second round, Arnau Labbe put in the rebound for Chile’s second tally, while Araya made another stop against Korea. Juan Amoroso, playing his 100th cap for Chile, scored on the third attempt. With all the pressure on his shoulders, Geonhyo Jin scored to keep Korea alive. Chile sealed their victory in the fourth round with a score by Kay Gesswein.
Chile goalkeeper Adrián Henriquez was named player of the match. “We made a really good round robin with three draws,” said Henriquez. “And then to get the mental level up and to be able to play these games against Canada and Korea under these conditions is quite tough, we managed to pull through and give a last game draw—but at the end a win—it’ s a step forward for the team.”
(Men’s) Scotland 5 – 1 Canada
It was a shining performance for Scotland’s Jamie Golden, who notched four goals in a 5-1 win over Canada.
The first two tallies of the match came in the second quarter, where Golden converted both a penalty stroke and set piece. Canada was remiss to give up two more penalty corners to start the third, as both were sent in by Golden, giving Scotland a four-goal lead.
Matthew Sarmento put Canada on the board in minute 38, laying out a dive to tip the ball in. Canada trailed, 3-1, heading into the final quarter.
As the match wound down, Scotland were two men down after a yellow and green card. Canada looked to take advantage by substituting out its goalkeeper to go three field players up, but instead, Scotland put in one more, this time from Ali Douglas.
Golden was honored as player of the match. “I think it’s good,” said Golden. “We can still come out and get two good results. It just shows that maybe we weren’t switched on for the Wales game unfortunately, but it shows we only lost one game out of five and it’s a good level of hockey here so I think we can be proud of how we’ve done.”
(Women’s) Ireland 0 – 1 Australia
By a tight margin, Australia clinched their spot to the World Cup with a win over Ireland.
A strong Australia team kicked off the match with pressure, but the Ireland defense was up to the task. Australia was kept off the board for the entire opening frame, including having a penalty stroke stopped by Ireland goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy.
In the second quarter, Australia had another chance at a penalty stroke, and this time there was no mistake: Claire Colwill put it away to put Australia up 1-0.
Working against the clock, Ireland substituted their goalkeeper out for the final five minutes, adding to the drama when Australia had a chance and Caoimhe Perdue saved it on the line. Despite another penalty corner opportunity, Ireland was unable to find the equalizer.
Australia’s Sarah Byrnes was named player of the match. “It’s very very exciting” said Byrnes. “We had a tough few games coming in, with Pro League and stuff, but we’ve been building and building, and to get the win today against Ireland is just so exciting for this group.”
(Women’s) Chile 1 – 1 (2 – 0 SO) Japan
In a high-octane semifinal that needed shootouts to crown a winner, Chile punched its ticket to the World Cup.
It was Japan’s match to win after the first quarter, showing a higher possession and scoring what would be the lone goal for the next 45 minutes.
For the next two quarters, set piece chances on each side were defended, to the frustration of both teams. Time ticked down, all the way to the final minutes, and finally Las Diablas got the goal they needed so desperately. Domenica Ananias lifted the ball over the goalkeeper on a penalty corner, and the final whistle sounded over the roar of the home fans.
Japan defended first in shootouts, with Chile’s Constanza Muñoz missing the attacking chance. The score remained nil after Japan did not make the attempt as well.
On the second round, Ananias notched the first goal for Chile, while Japan’s Akari Nakagomi was blocked. Both teams missed out on the third round.
The fourth round would be the final, as Chile captain Manuela Urroz put away her attempt and Natalia Salvador stopped Japan’s Miyu Hasegawa’s attempt.
Chile goalkeeper Natalia Salvador was named player of the match. “I’m really really happy,” said Salvador. “I think we have been working really hard for this moment, with my team, for a long long time. We are really happy and I’m really proud of my team.”
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