Commonwealth Games: England women and men reach semi-finals
- Published
England women finished the pool stages with a perfect winning record
2022 Commonwealth Games |
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Hosts: Birmingham Dates: 28 July to 8 August |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV with extra streams on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app; Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra; live text and clips online. |
England women will face defending champions New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games hockey semi-finals, while England men will take on holders Australia.
England women beat Wales 5-0 to top Pool A with a perfect winning record.
Needing to beat Canada by 14 goals to win Pool B and avoid world number ones Australia, England men ran out 11-2 victors in a thrilling fixture.
The women's semi-finals take place on Friday, with the men's on Saturday.
'We're creating history'
Hat-trick hero Grace Balsdon says England women can expect a "tough battle" in their semi-final against New Zealand.
Balsdon scored three, with Hannah Martin and Giselle Ansley also on target in England's win over Wales on Thursday.
"New Zealand are a really good side, really quick, bring a lot of energy; we know they take their chances so we can't give them many," said Balsdon.
"I think we're in the best place we possibly could be right now. I don't think an England team has ever won all their pool games, so we're creating a bit of history there.
"We know it's going to be a tough battle."
Wales finished fourth in Pool A and will face South Africa in the seventh-place match on Friday.
Wales defender Beth Bingham was taken to hospital after a second-quarter strike from England's Elena Rayer hit her in the face on the goalline.
In Friday's other semi-final, India face Pool B winners and top seeds Australia.
Watch: Canadian hockey player sent off for neck grab on England opponent
Men fall short in thriller
England men had already qualified for the knockout stages earlier on Thursday along with India, who beat Wales 4-1 before the hosts' match with Canada.
Defeat meant Wales finished third in Pool B and will play in the fifth-place match on Sunday, with their opponents yet to be determined.
In front of a raucous crowd at the University of Birmingham hockey centre, England were given a glimmer of hope when Canada defender Balraj Panesar was shown a straight red card for putting his hands on Chris Griffiths' throat.
But the hosts' goal target always seemed a step too far and, despite four goals from forward Nick Bandurak, they instead finished level on points with India, behind on goal difference by five goals.
India will take on New Zealand, Pakistan or South Africa in their semi-final.
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