Hockey: England caught by solitary break: Goal famine continues and defeat condemns women to qualifying

England. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

Netherlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

DISASTER struck for England in the 58th minute of their game against the Dutch in the Women's World Cup in Dublin yesterday.

After continuous English pressure in the second half, the Dutch counter-attacked. Ingrid Appels was allowed to drive through the midfield to lay off the ball to Jeannette Lewin for the all-important goal, which caught the goalkeeper, Hilary Rose, in two minds.

The result put the Dutch one point ahead of Germany, whom they play in their last pool game today, China and the United States. England, in spite of their improved performance, will have to play off for the ninth to 12th places and will be required to play in the next World Cup qualifier.

In an even first half only a couple of exceptional saves from Daphne Touw, the Dutch goalkeeper, prevented England going ahead and, at last, ending their goal famine.

With Tammy Miller, making her 100th international appearance, Sandie Lister and Mandy Davies working tirelessly for England in midfield, and with Jane Sixsmith causing all sorts of problems to the Dutch defence, it seemed only a matter of time before the goals came, but sadly it was not to be.

Although England controlled all the critical areas they were unable to break the no-goal jinx and the one Dutch counter-attack in the second half won the points.

England have a final pool game today against Canada to find their goalscoring form before they face Russia or Ireland, who drew 0-0 yesterday, in their first play-off match.

Argentina, with a 1-0 win against Spain in Pool A, became the first team to claim a semi-final place.

ENGLAND: H Rose (Ipswich); J Atkins (Bradford Swithenbank), L Youngs (Ipswich), K Johnson (Balsam Leicester), C Cook (Hightown), S Lister (Ipswich, capt), M Davies (First Personnel Sutton Coldfield), T Miller (Clifton), S Gibson (Trojans), J Sixsmith (First Personnel Sutton Coldfield), A Bennett (Slough). Substitutes used: S Wright (Slough), T Cullen (Hightown), J Smith (Chelmsford).

NETHERLANDS: D Touw; F Grijpma, W Duijster, F Steenberghe, M Derks, I Appels, S van der Wielen, J Lewin (capt), H Smabers, E Kuipers, W de Ruiter. Substitutes used: M Teeuwen, H Dijsselhof- Groten, M Donners.

Umpires: P Buckley (Australia), G Spitaleri (Italy).

WATERFORD CRYSTAL WOMEN'S WORLD CUP (Dublin): Pool A: Ireland 0 Russia 0; Argentina 1 Spain 0. Standings: 1 Argentina (P 5, Pts 8); 2 Australia (4-5); 3 Korea (4-5); 4 Spain (5-5); 5 Russia (5-3); 6 Ireland (5-2). Pool B: Germany 1 China 2; Netherlands 1 England 0. Standings: 1 Netherlands (P 4, Pts 6); 2 Germany (4-5); 3 China (4-5); 4 USA (4-5); 5 Canada (4-2); 6 England (4-1).