Hockey: Giles secures crucial victory

CALUM GILES, making his 51st England appearance, took his goal tally to 50 as he scored twice in England's 2-1 victory against Canada yesterday in the World Cup in Utrecht which set up a fifth- and sixth- place final game tomorrow against Pakistan who overcame Korea 3-1 in the parallel game. But more importantly, the last-gasp victory - Giles scored his winner just three minutes from full time - assures England's qualification for the next World Cup.

England's early positive approach might have brought dividends 10 minutes into the game at three successive penalty corners which brought two high- class saves from the Canadian goalkeeper Michael Mahood.

England's goalkeeper, Simon Mason, was not called into action until the 27th minute when he saved well at Canada's first penalty corner. Canada lifted their performance after the interval, presenting England's defence with all sorts of problems. But it was England who took the lead in the 43rd minute, Russell Garcia winning a penalty corner when he was chopped down by Bindi Kullar. Giles made no mistake with his low drag.

The Canadians were on terms within three minutes, Mason finally being beaten by Andrew Griffiths after a fine save from Peter Milkovich. With three minutes remaining, England were awarded another penalty corner. Giles came off the bench to strike the winning goal.

England's coach, Barry Dancer, was delighted with his team's performance. "We had a lot of players playing well today and Calum's goals were extremely significant and important to English hockey," he said.

Holland, after a convincing 6-2 win against Australia, will play Spain in the final, three of the Dutch goals coming from their penalty corner specialist Bram Lomans.

England's women completed their World Cup programme with a 2-0 victory over Scotland to give them ninth place. Jane Sixsmith opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Jane Smith scored the second six minutes before half- time when she was left to move along the goal line and score from a narrow angle.

England: S Mason (Reading); B Garrard (Teddington), J Wyatt (Reading), J Halls (HDM), A Humphrey (Cannock); D Woods (Southgate), J Pidcock (Cannock), J Wallis (Teddington); B Sharpe (Cannock), R Garcia (HDM, capt) M Pearn (Reading).

Substitutes used: C Giles (Southgate), N Thompson, J Lee (both Old Loughtonians).

Canada: M Mahood; P Burrows; R Roberts, Bindi Kullar, I Bird; P Milkovich, R Short, R Diabreo; C Gifford, A Griffiths, M Gacek.

Substitutes used: K Pereira, S Mosher, R Jagday.

Umpires: J Gorissen (Ned) & H Ehlers (Den).

England (women): C Reid (Hightown); J Empson (Canterbury), K Brown (Slough), M Clewlow ( Canterbury), J Mould (Leicester); L Wright (Olton), K Bowden (Leicester, capt), J Bimson (Loughborough Students); J Sixsmith (Sutton Coldfield), P Miller (Leicester), J Smith (Slough).

Substitutes used: S Blanks (Leicester), L Copeland (Slough), K Moore (Olton), F Greenham (Olton).

Scotland: S Lawrie (Bracknell); V Neil (Edinburgh); S Fraser (Bonagrass Grove), F Pearson (Edinburgh), C Corcoran (Edinburgh); H Walker (Glasgow Western), D Renilson (Edinburgh), L Burton (Edinburgh); P Robertson (Bonagrass Grove, capt), S MacDonald (Slough), R Simpson (Edinburgh).

Substitutes used: A Denholm (Glasgow Western), A Grant (Edinburgh), S Gilmour (HGC Netherlands).

Umpires: P Buckley (Aus) & Mi Ok Lee (Kor).