- England National Teams
England Take Historic Bronze Medal at Junior Women's World Cup!
England secured an historic first ever medal at the Junior Women’s World Cup after a thrilling victory over India.
England equalised with only 90 seconds of normal time left to level at 2-2 and take the game to a shootout which they won 3-0.
The victory was even more noteworthy given that England came into the event without a number of players who had moved up to the senior squad, and in this match they faced an Indian side containing more than half a dozen senior internationals; three of whom helped India finish fourth in the Tokyo Olympics. But the difference in experience was not evident as England dug deep to put on a display full of both character and quality.
Captain Millie Giglio - who opened the scoring - can be very proud of the mentality shown by her team. The event was initially postponed from late last year and it was uncertain whether England would be able to take part and which players would be available. With limited preparation time, the team put all that to one side to play their best hockey out in South Africa and deserve great credit. A number of the England squad were playing Under 16 hockey last year but can now call themselves World Cup medalists.
It was player of the match Maddie Axford who scored the winning shootout, and she said after the game: “It’s such an amazing feeling, I can’t believe it! We have put such a shift in, I am genuinely speechless. We’ve worked so hard. Everyone held their own, we never gave up and it’s all paid off, which is amazing.”
Head Coach Simon Letchford was equally proud, commenting: “In every game we’ve played we have grown and learned, we’ve exerted a huge amount physically and I’m just so happy for the girls. I would also like to say well played to India, it is hard for anyone to lose, especially in that way.”
Skipper Giglio added: "I'm absolutely over the moon. Not only are we the youngest England side to play in this tournament, we have also made history today. This team only came together two months ago with brand new people in a brand new squad but we've smashed it. I am so proud. We've given it our all and we've been rewarded."
Match report
England 2 Giglio (18 FG), Swain (58 FG)
India 2 Mumtaz (21 FG, 47 FG)
England win shootout 3-0
Starting XI: Welch (GK), Burnley, Mackenzie, Brough, Guckian, Chapple, Curtis, Long, McCabe, Giglio (C), Axford
Subs (used): Wood (GK), Mason, Martin, Manton, Butterworth, Gardens, Swain
England had to deal with some early penalty corners from their Indian opponents, but Simon Letchford’s team started the game with composure and were certainly not overawed against their more experienced opponents. Tilly Butterworth made an incisive run into the Indian D after five minutes but was denied by the umpire’s whistle. And then right at the end of the first quarter Claudia Swain did very well down the left but her shot was just wide at the near post.
Into the second quarter India had a big chance through Lalrindiki, but she couldn’t find the target when very well placed. Then England made them pay as captain Millie Giglio’s underhit shot found its way home through the legs of goalkeeper Kharibam.
The lead did not last too long though as the impressive Mumtaz Khan levelled matters with a very tidy finish after the initial shot was saved well by Mila Welch. Just before the interval England went close again as Giglio hit one on the reverse, but the teams went in level at the break.
The third quarter was understandably a tight affair as both teams cancelled each other out, but England set the tone for the final quarter by flying out of the traps and winning two corners in succession. It was Mumtaz though who scored next, producing another lovely finish on 47 minutes as England unsuccessfully asked for it be disallowed for danger. With no video referrals, England had no choice but to simply get on with it, and to their credit they did just that.
On 52 minutes they fashioned a big chance for Becky Manton but she just had to stretch too far to get it on target. So again, England had to dig deep and removed their ‘keeper to line up with eleven outfield players. Coach Simon Letchford’s decision very much paid dividends as Maddie Axford cut forwards excellently, and as Vicki McCabe made a nuisance of herself in the middle, it ran free for Swain to produce a lovely finish and take the game to a shootout.
India went first in the shootout, but Evie Wood did brilliantly in the English goal to deny Sharmila Devi. And when Katie Curtis scored to put England 1-0 up, they never gave up the advantage. Sangita Kumari was desperately disappointed to shoot wide in India’s second attempt, while Swain scored confidently for England. Indian captain Salima Tete was unfortunate as her attempt appeared to be stopped early by the umpire’s whistle, and Axford made no mistake on the reverse to send her team into raptures.
While there were tears of joy for England, one must also spare a thought for those Indian players left visibly upset at the end of the game. It was a fantastic advert for the sport and both teams can be very proud of their efforts.
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England 0 (0)
Germany 8 (4)
Neumann (7', PC; 35', PC; 36', FG); Kurz (9', PC); Fleschütz (12', FG); Heinz (25', FG); Schwabe (57', FG), Stoffelsma (60', FG)A youthful England side suffered a 8-0 semi-final defeat to Germany but remain in contention for a medal at the Junior World Cup.
England came back to beat Ireland and USA on the road to the final four but couldn’t mount a riposte against clinical Germany, who scored four in each half.
Simon Letchford’s side will take on India in the bronze medal match on Tuesday at 12:30pm in Potchefstroom.
England began with brio but Germany forced a pair of penalty corners from the first forays into attacking territory.
A well-worked corner routine saw Stine Kurz sell a dummy and Verena Neumann sweep home from the left-hand post to open the scoring.
Two minutes later, Germany created another corner chance from a run down the right and on the re-award, Stine Kurz drag-flicked into the bottom corner for 2-0.
England mounted an immediate response with two circle entries inside a minute, Maddie Long coming close to getting a reverse stick shot on goal.
But it was three before the end of the first quarter as Jette Fleschütz went unchallenged on a mazy run down the baseline and fired a tomahawk through Mila Welch’s legs.
England turned the tide in the second quarter when a mazy run from Sofia Martin deep into the circle nearly produced a goal and resulted in a corner, that couldn’t be converted.
Germany robbed England of possession and they broke quickly, the ball squirting behind Welch from a goalmouth scramble and Pauline Heinz poking home a fourth goal from a yard.
Two goals in two third-quarter minutes, both from Verena Neumann, continued a difficult afternoon for England.
Evie Wood, introduced in goal at half-time in place of Welch, made a fine save to deny a German forward who was clean in on goal.
Skipper Millie Giglio created her side’s best chance late in the third quarter, firing a reverse stick ball across the face of goal which Vicki McCabe was unable to turn home.
The game lacked tempo in the closing stages but Germany added two more late on through Sophia Schwabe and Lilly Stoffelsma.
Starting XI: Welch (GK), Guckian, MacKenzie, Giglio (c), Brough, Axford, Chapple, Burnley, Curtis, Swain, Long
Substitutes: Mason, Allroggen, Martin, Butterworth, McCabe, Gardens
Simon Letchford said: "There are positives from the time we've been in South Africa.
"We only came together as a group three training camps ago and particularly younger members of the squad have learned a huge amount.
"We've nothing to be embarrassed about but we need to look at what we did well and what we can take away to be a better team going forwards.
"We didn't set any objectives coming here, we just wanted to go as deep as we can. We can't have gone much deeper. The group are still very motivated to do as well as we can."
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England 2 (1)
Giglio (17’, PC) Axford (44’, FG)
USA 1 (1)
Sessa (3’, PC)
Maddie Axford’s goal late in the third quarter helped England come from behind to beat the USA 2-1 and reach the last four of the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup.
USA went ahead in the opening stages through Ashley Sessa but England captain Millie Giglio levelled matters early in the second quarter.
Axford’s close-range effort in the 44th minute proved to be the winner, with England holding firm in the face of late pressure to seal a semi-final spot.
USA controlled possession in the early stages and took the lead just three minutes in through Sessa after a deflection from Kitty Chapple’s foot earned them a penalty corner.
Vicki McCabe nearly drew Simon Letchford’s side level just two minutes later only to see her shot saved, while Lorna MacKenzie also came close moments later.
Georgie Gardens was next to threaten before the end of the first quarter but her strike flew just wide of the American goal.
England maintained their pressure early in the second quarter and drew level in the 17th minute through Giglio.
The skipper received the ball after a penalty corner and her low reverse stick effort went through the legs of USA keeper Annabel Skubisz and levelled proceedings.
England continued to control possession though the USA were still threatening and could have taken the lead through Gracyn Banks in the 39th minute, but she couldn’t quite convert a good opportunity.
It was then England’s turn to apply the pressure once again, with McCabe and Giglio both coming close to putting England in front.
And in the closing stages of the third quarter Axford put England ahead, turning home after a superb pass across the face of goal from McCabe.
McCabe and Swain had further opportunities to give England a two-goal advantage in the fourth quarter, though USA defended resolutely and fought hard in their quest to equalise.
The final five minutes proved a stern test of the English defence, with some crucial saves from Evie Wood keeping England in front.
And after the USA failed to convert from a late penalty corner, the England celebrations could begin with attentions now turning to Sunday’s semi-final.
Starting XI: Guickian, MacKenzie, Giglio (c), Welch (GK), Brough, Butterworth, Axford, Chapple, McCabe, Burnley, Long
Subs: Mason, Wood (GK), Martin, Manton, Curtis, Gardens, Swain
Captain and scorer Millie Giglio said: “It was a very, very tough game but we knew it was going to be physical and we just fought until the last minute - quite literally until the last second. We were unfortunate to concede a penalty corner there but it was really good that we could defend it.”
Head coach Simon Letchford said: “First of all, well played to the USA. I thought it was a really good game of hockey that I hope the crowd enjoyed as much as we did. We made it difficult for ourselves, we had three or four very good chances so we should have put the game to bed and shouldn’t have faced that final couple of minutes that we had to endure. Our PCD’s been good all tournament, so I’m very proud of them.”
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Ireland 1 (1)
Perdue (4’, PC)
England 2 (1)
Giglio (9’, PS) McCabe (43’ FG)
England confirmed qualification for the quarter-finals of Women’s FIH Junior World Cup with an excellent comeback win over Ireland.
Captain Millie Giglio’s second goal in two games and a third-quarter strike from Vicki McCabe gave them a second successive win in gloomy Potchefstroom, which ensures they will top Pool B.
Simon Letchford’s young team were pushed all the way by a resilient Irish side making their Women’s junior World Cup bow, overcoming an early setback to secure all three points.
After Friday’s win over hosts South Africa, England are now building real momentum as we head towards next week’s knockout stage.
They will play the Group A runner-up, likely to be either USA or Zimbabwe, on Friday.
Letchford's side started on the back foot when just three minutes after push back Ireland won the first penalty corner of the game.
Captain Caoimhe Perdue found the net for the opener, after her effort took a big deflection on route to the back of Evie Wood’s goal.
But despite conceding their first of the tournament, the pool leaders refused to panic and were level just five minutes later.
A strong run from Maddie Axford led to a deliberate foul inside the circle and a penalty stroke - from which Giglio made no mistake - to deservedly level the match.
From that point England started to control possession after a pulsating, end-to-end start and very nearly made it two when good work from Claudia Swain led to a penalty corner.
It looked as though Lorna Mackenzie would repeat her goalscoring exploits from Friday's 3-0 win over South Africa, but her effort ricocheted just wide.
The rain came in the second quarter and both sides struggled to maintain their earlier flow, with Ireland’s deep defence proving difficult to break down.
But England still looked dangerous at times, with clever movement in and around the circle, Georgie Gardens going particularly close.
Ireland nearly re-took the lead just before half time from a penalty corner, but quick feet from Evie Wood saw her make an important save and ensure the two sides went in level at the break.
The third quarter looked difficult to call with England solid in defence and keeping the ball well, but failing to add to make further circle penetrations.
Just as it looked as if a goal would prove elusive, England found one with their best move of the game.
Clever play from Maddie Long set-up a flying counter-attack, with a perfectly weighted pass finding McCabe who steadied herself before finding the net with a superbly-timed finish.
Long nearly ended the contest with a second goal in quick succession just minutes later but Ellie McLoughlin made an excellent save.
Despite a nervy final quarter, with successive Ireland penalty corners nearly finding an equaliser, England survived and can now look forward to a quarter-final.
Starting XI: Wood, Guickan, Martin, MacKenzie, Alexander, Giglio, Brough, Axford, Burnley, Curtis, Long.
Subs (used): Mason, Allroggen, Welch (GK), Butterworth, Swain, McCabe, Gardens.
Captain and scorer Giglio said: "It was really good. The girls put 100% effort in and that's all we can ask for. We asked for focus and intensity and we delivered.
"Credit to Ireland, they put up a very, very good fight and I can't wait to see what this team has got in the next match."
Head coach Letchford said: "We qualified and qualified in a way that avoids the Dutch in the next round, which is really, really pleasing for us. It was a great game of hockey.
"Ireland put up a fantastic performance but I'm very proud of the way the girls stuck to their tasks and worked as hard as they possibly could. We got the tempo we wanted for about two-thirds of the second half and then we got a bit tired, but we did enough."
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England 3 (1)
Mackenzie (13’ PC, 56’ PC); Giglio (45’ PS)South Africa 0 (0)
England made the perfect start to life in the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup in South Africa with a 3-0 win over the hosts.
Goals from Lorna Mackenzie (2) and skipper Millie Giglio did the damage, as Simon Letchford’s side laid down a marker in Potchefstroom and took a first step towards progressing from Pool B in the process.
South Africa did create chances in the final quarter but England were defensively sound throughout, and may even have put the game to bed sooner had they been more clinical in front of goal.
They now face Ireland on Saturday (6pm UK time) knowing a win will see them top the pool, although even a defeat could still see them through to the quarter-finals with the top two progressing, with Ukraine withdrawing from the tournament.
In the opening game of the tournament, England looked lively from push back, with a couple of early circle penetrations, but it was South Africa who had the game’s first big chance when Mila Welch had to make a smart save after good work from Kayla De Waal.
But that was the only real moment England’s goal was troubled in the opening half, with captain Giglio driving her team forward with some dynamic dribbling.
Becky Manton also went close to breaking the deadlock, but for all England’s good play they had to wait until the closing stages of the opening quarter to get the crucial first goal.
The first penalty corner of the contest was expertly delivered by Maddie Long, and Loughborough University's Mackenzie fired through the traffic to give England the deserved opening goal.
They were in control throughout the first 30 minutes, Georgie Gardens going close to making it two, while the tournament hosts struggled to turn their possession into circle penetrations or genuine chances.
South Africa did improve at the start of the third quarter, Bianca Wood wasting a good chance to halve the deficit with Letchford’s team momentarily struggling to get out of their own half.
But after weathering the South African storm, England got the break they needed to get some breathing space, once again with only seconds left of the quarter.
Another Long penalty corner caused chaos, with only a clear foul from the defending side stopping the ball hitting the net.
That gave Giglio the chance to cap a towering performance with a goal of her own, and she emphatically converted the resultant penalty stroke to put her side 2-0 up.
Manton then saw her effort only kept out by the crossbar with South Africa reeling.
But eventually England wrapped things up in fine style when Mackenzie was on hand again from a penalty corner to smash the ball beyond Mishka Ellis, to seal a fine 3-0 victory and a dream start for the juniors.
Although there is still a long way to go, hopes will now be high they can improve on their seventh-place finish from the last tournament in 2016.
Starting XI: Welch, Martin, Manton, Mackenzie, Giglio (c), Brough, Axford, Chapple, Burnley, Curtis, Long.
Subs (used): Mason, Guckian, Wood (GK), Butterworth, McCabe, Gardens, Swain.
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Pool fixtures
1 April, England 3-0 South Africa
2 April, England 2-1 IrelandKnockout Fixtures:
8 April, Quarter Final, England 2-1 USA
10 April, Semi Final, England 0-8 Germany
12 April, 3rd-4th play-off, England 2-2 India, England win shootout 3-0 -
Name Club Beth Alexander Loughborough University Emma Allroggen Berliner Maddie Axford University of Nottingham Bronte Brough Repton Hockey Club Ella Burnley ISCA Tilly Butterworth Repton Hockey Club Kitty Chapple Clifton Robinsons Katie Curtis University of Nottingham Georgie Gardens Harleston Magpies Millie Giglio (Captain) University of Birmingham Emily Guckian Harvard University Maddie Long Surbiton Lorna Mackenzie Loughborough University Vicki McCabe Team Bath Buccaneers Sofia Martin Southgate Becky Manton University of Birmingham Mollie Mason (Co-Vice Captain) University of Nottingham Claudia Swain University of Nottingham Mila Welch (GK and Co-Vice Captain) East Grinstead Evie Wood (GK) University of Birmingham Support Staff Simon Letchford Head Coach John Bell Assistant Coach Leigh Maasdorp Manager Tom Millington Goalkeeping Coach Lynn Booth Physiotherapist Hannah Cureton Performance Analyst