With Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games pool matches
complete, attentions now turn to the semi-finals for both our men’s and women’s
squads.
Both have safely secured qualification to the final four and
both face southern hemisphere teams for places in the final.
England Women v New Zealand (Thursday 10am)
England Men v Australia (Friday 10am or 12.15pm)
England’s women topped their pool with victories over South
Africa, Wales and Malaysia but were defeated by India. Top spot has set up a
semi-final with New Zealand who came second in Pool B.
Speaking ahead of the clash, head coach Danny Kerry said: “New
Zealand are a very good side and we are looking forward to a cracking game. We
will need to be alert to their threats of which they have a number of. Equally
we carry a threat too and it should be a very tight and exciting game between
two very good sides.”
Our men finished second in their pool after defeat to India
in their final group game. With just 39 seconds left on the clock India grabbed
a winner to move them top and leaves England facing Australia in the
semi-finals on Friday.
England defeated Wales and Malaysia in the group stages
which drawing with Pakistan before their defeat to India. Sam Ward has been in
red hot form and with 7 goals in just 4 games is currently the tournament’s top
scorer.
Looking ahead to the match with Australia, co-captain and
goalkeeper George Pinner said: “We are very excited about playing Australia in
front of a packed house. It’s a great opportunity and the atmosphere should be
fantastic.
“We’ve played them a few times recently, it’s always a tough
physical battle and we expect nothing different to that on Friday.”