England women secure eighth place at the Junior World Cup after losing to Australia in the classification match.
Australia set the early tone on the synthetic surface of the Estadio Nacional in Santiago de Chile, enjoying greater possession and applying high pressure in the opening quarter.
England responded with defensive organisation and a compact mid-block, absorbing the initial momentum and successfully defending three penalty corners in Q1.
The scoreline remained tight until the second quarter, when Jessica Dyson opened the scoring in the 28th minute following a move inside the circle. Australia maintained their collective structure but reached the break trailing by the narrowest of margins despite sustained attacking traffic and multiple circle penetrations.
After the restart, the match shifted in tempo. Australia adjusted their press and found greater width, levelling the score in the 37th minute through Mihaylia Howell and taking the lead two minutes later, once again via Howell. Samantha Love extended the advantage in the 41st minute, capitalising on Australia’s territorial dominance during the third quarter.
England pulled one back a minute later through Hannah Boss and pushed late on, defending and attacking in transition, but Australia managed the closing stages with a compact structure, resisted the final attempts and closed out the match with defensive control to secure seventh place in the tournament, while England finished eighth.
