AHF: Dutch dominance, a Chinese hat-trick and a combative Argentina: semi-finals set in Santiago

The quarter-finals delivered a clear picture of the tournament’s leading contenders, with the Netherlands advancing through an imposing win against England and China reaffirming their competitive strength against Australia thanks to a hat-trick from Wang Lihang, one of the standout names of the event. Belgium also secured their spot among the top four after overcoming the United States with a consistent display, in a phase where tempo, efficiency and tactical adjustment clearly separated the teams still in contention from those who fell short.

The day reached its peak with Argentina’s victory over Germany, the tightest and most dramatic match of the quarter-finals, decided only in the final quarter through Lara Casas’s instinctive touch for the 2-1 winner. In parallel, the Challenger Trophy maintained its competitive flow with two rhythm-heavy classification matches that featured shoot-outs, individual performances of note and a continued global spread of styles in the battle for positions 17–24. The semi-finals arrive on Wednesday, a decisive stage that promises high-level hockey and an ideal scenario to follow the four teams still dreaming of the title in Santiago.

Below is the full breakdown of all matches on Day 5 in Santiago.

Canada vs Malaysia (Full-Time Score: 3-3, SO: 5-3)

Canada opened the Challenger Trophy action in the 17–24 bracket with sustained offensive rhythm from the first quarter, in a match shaped by frequent set-piece involvement and constant circulation on the water-based surface. Malaysia struck first after just 28 seconds with a field goal from Mohd Nur, while Canada responded through circle penetrations and five consecutive penalty corners that produced the 1-1 equaliser from Kenzie Girgis. In the second quarter, Zawiatul Hartomo restored Malaysia’s lead with a clean drag-flick from their first successful penalty corner, before Nicole Poulakis levelled once more from another set piece to close the half at 2-2.

After the restart, Malaysia moved ahead 3-2 through a right-flank progression finished by Azmyra Azhairy. Canada maintained possession in opposition territory through structured pressing and controlled outlets, sustaining their offensive volume from the set piece. In the closing stages, Canada earned eight consecutive penalty corners and managed possession with patience, regaining the ball quickly after each turnover. With 44 seconds remaining, Poulakis converted her second penalty corner for the 3-3 that sent the match to shoot-outs. Canada converted all five attempts, while Malaysia missed one, sealing the 5-3 result.

Despite the defeat, Malaysia’s Player of the Match Azmyra Azhairy said, “I tried to fight with my team, they gave their effort and they gave us something important out there.”

 

Scotland vs Namibia (Full-Time Score: 4-0)

Scotland established territorial control from the outset on the water-based surface, producing five circle penetrations and two penalty corners in the first quarter. The opener arrived in the 5th minute, when Mhairi Low finished a well-executed set-play sequence for 1-0, beginning a performance that would later deliver her hat-trick. Namibia held a compact block to avoid major damage but struggled to generate sustained attacking presence. The second quarter unfolded with moderate rhythm, influenced by a green card shown to Maryke Kruger around the 27th minute, while Scotland maintained possession without increasing the margin.

After half-time, Scotland intensified their pressure and extended the lead to 2-0 with Low’s second goal near the 40th minute, finishing an interior combination inside the circle. Namibia attempted isolated transitions but failed to convert from the set piece, missing all four penalty corners in the final phase. Late in the match, Lexie Macmillan added the 3-0 around the 54th minute from a short corner, and Low completed her hat-trick shortly afterwards, sealing a controlled and defensively solid win.

Player of the Match Mhairi Low said, “I think we worked really well as a team today; in the last matches we struggled to score, so it was important to get four goals and regain confidence, hopefully we can keep this going in the coming games.”

Netherlands vs England (Full-Time Score: 8-2)

 

The Netherlands, one of the tournament’s strongest title contenders, opened the quarter-finals by reaffirming their credentials through fast circulation, wide attacking patterns and full control of the match tempo. They took the lead through Kaatje Walhof after a spell of high pressing and immediate recoveries. England responded with defensive order and equalised through a penalty stroke converted by Biba Mills, but Iris de Kemp restored the Dutch lead before half-time in a phase where the Netherlands accumulated 19 circle penetrations.

The third quarter broke the match open, with a Dutch surge combining rapid recoveries, sustained width and clinical finishing inside the circle. Moes extended the advantage, Walhof added her second and de Kemp completed her hat-trick within minutes, capitalising on spaces behind the English defensive line. England reduced the margin through a penalty corner from Beth Gardens, but the Netherlands struck again through Katerina Langedijk to seal the 8-2 and advance with authority. The standout performances came from de Kemp with a hat-trick and Walhof with a brace.

Player of the Match Iris de Kemp said, “I’m very excited about this win, I’m very proud of the team, we worked really hard and trust each other a lot, when we play with speed on the pitch we score many goals, that was the key today, and now we need everyone’s support for the semi-finals.”

United States vs Belgium (Full-Time Score: 1-4)

Belgium opened their quarter-final with immediate territorial control, moving the ball at pace on the synthetic surface and generating sustained presence inside the opposition’s 23m area. After two minutes, Alexi Van Remortel made it 1-0 with a field goal following a high regain. The United States responded with controlled outlets and three penalty corners in the second quarter, but could not beat Belgium’s compact defence. Belgium managed the rhythm confidently before half-time, maintaining eight circle entries and a solid defensive structure against the American attempts to progress through interior lanes.

In the third quarter, Belgium extended the lead through a high-production spell: Perrine de Clerck scored from a penalty corner, Famke Van Heel added another through a direct transition and Agathe Favart finished a right-side attack for 4-0. The United States stayed competitive with medium pressing and sporadic recoveries but without converting their advances into effective set pieces. Reese D’Ariano reduced the margin late in the match, but Belgium controlled possession and space to close out the 4-1 and book their semi-final spot against the Netherlands.

Player of the Match Famke Van Heel said, “I think we could have started better, but in the third quarter we really played as one block and it was a good team effort, I’m very proud of the team; now we need to start matches at one hundred per cent and hopefully we can go home with the trophy.”

 

Australia vs China (Full-Time Score: 3-5)

China were forced to come from behind after Australia struck first with a well-executed penalty corner from Madeline Kenny during the opening minutes, in a phase where the Oceanians found space down the right flank and forced consecutive set pieces. China equalised quickly, also from a set piece, with Wang Lihang reacting first to a rebound to restore balance. From that moment, the Asian side took control of possession, accumulated penalty corners (10 in total) and found the 2-1 before half-time through another strike from Wang, capitalising on sustained high pressing inside the 23m zone.

The third quarter fully swung the match in China’s favour: first through a direct-transition finish from Nie Yushuo for 3-1, then through Wang’s penalty stroke for 4-1 to complete her hat-trick, and moments later through Zuo Dandan’s conversion from another set piece for 5-1. Australia reacted in the final quarter through Makayla Jones, who scored twice to reduce the margin and maintain hope, but China’s 19 circle entries and set-piece control allowed them to manage the closing minutes and seal a 5-3 win with strong statistical impact.

Player of the Match Wang Lihang said, “I hoped it was a good match for the crowd, we played against a very strong team and we had to play with heart and passion to beat them.”

Germany vs Argentina (Full-Time Score: 1-2)

Germany attempted to control the match early with long possessions and frontal circulation, while Argentina responded with a compact block and recoveries that allowed them to break forward and balance the contest. The match grew in intensity with each quarter until Juana Castellaro opened the scoring early in the third with a precise drag-flick from the penalty corner, reflecting a phase of increased Argentine pressure. Germany equalised shortly afterwards through Gesa Lubienski, setting up an open and tense finish.

The final quarter unfolded with rising tension. Argentina held their defensive plan despite Germany’s advances and found the decisive breakthrough through pure striker instinct. A driven Argentine shot was saved but the rebound fell short, prompting an attempted German clearance. Casas reacted first, stealing the ball less than two metres from the goal and finishing immediately for the 2-1 in a moment that shifted the entire narrative of the match. Germany removed their goalkeeper with five minutes remaining to add an extra outfield player, but Argentina defended with solidity, protecting space high and securing their place in the semi-finals, where they will face China.

Player of the Match Lara Casas said, “we were very proud of our performance, the support from the crowd was incredible and the team stayed confident in the most demanding moments; the unity of the group is our greatest competitive strength.”

FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025

Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional, Santiago de Chile

Result: Match 1

Canada 3-3 Malaysia (SO: 5-3)

Player of the Match: Azmyra Azhairy (MAS)

Umpires: Fatma Mahmoud – Irene Presenqui

Result: Match 2

Scotland 4-0 Namibia

Player of the Match: Mhairi Low (SCO)

Umpires: Melina Illanes – Brian Tyson

Result: Match 3

Netherlands 8-2 England

Player of the Match: Sam Luttmer (NED)

Umpires: Alex Miles – Tamara Leonard

Result: Match 4

United States 1-4 Belgium

Player of the Match: Famke Van Heel (BEL)

Umpires: Juan Pedro Rodríguez – Bennetts Melissa

Result: Match 5

Australia 3-5 China

Player of the Match: Wang Lihang (CHN)

Umpires: Lani Nichol – Valerie Koh

Result: Match 6

Germany 1-2 Argentina

Player of the Match: Lara Casas (ARG)

Umpires: Ana Ortega – Allison Mikelson