Argentina complete World Cup pool sweep

With both England and Argentina in the semi finals and the result irrelevant, England turned on their best performance of the tournament, yet lost 2-0 to Argentina in the last Pool B match at the women's field hockey World Cup on Monday.

The result gave Argentina a clean sweep of the pool.

"The gap between us has closed although Argentina is still better than us but we have developed and have become better quicker than Argentina has improved," said England coach Danny Kerry.

Noel Barrionuevo scored from Argentina's second penalty corner early in the first half and England pressured Argentina's defence yet made few shots on goal and earned no penalty corners.

Late in the match Daniela Sruoga picked Helen Richardson's pocket and drove inside the right post for Argentina's second goal.

Kerry commented on Argentina's defensive approach.

"I was surprised how defensive Argentina played with five and six players behind the ball but even so we contained Argentina from start to finish and I am very happy with that performance," Kerry said.

Focus turned to minor placings in Pool B as China won 6-0 over Spain and South Korea defeated South Africa 5-3.

South Korea took third place in Pool B, China fourth, South Africa fifth and Spain last.

South Korea will play in the 5-6 classification match, China 7-8, South Africa 9-10 and Spain 11-12.

In China's last pool match against Spain, Li Hongxia fired in a backstick goal from the top of the circle early in the match and Spain pressured China's midfield in the first half yet failed to convert any of the four first half penalty corners.

China skipper Fu Baorong created a goal from a midfield turnover to drive into the circle and shoot between the pads of Spain goalkeeper Maria Lopez de Eguilaz.

Spain lost heart and structure as China won four penalty corners and Ma Yibo converted all four with powerful flicks for her first goals of the tournament.

South Africa looked to be heading for one of the upsets of the tournament when Sulette Damons scored very early in the first half and although Lee Seon Ok equalized with a penalty stroke just before the break, South Africa sped to a 3-1 lead with two rebound goals by Cindy Botha.

South Korea overpowered South Africa with 4 goals in 12 minutes by Kim Bo Mi, Cheon Seul Ki, Kim Young Ran and Park Mi Hyun to win 5-3.

South Africa skipper Marsha Marescia attributed the loss to inexperience.

"Losing in the last 15 minutes when we were ahead 3-1 is a sign of our inexperience and Korea being physically more prepared to be able to play fast, physical hockey at the end of the pool round," Marescia said.

In the final Pool A matches Tuesday, New Zealand meet India, Netherlands play Japan and Australia face Germany with the winner into the semi finals.

AFP