In the classification pathway, Austria defeated Namibia and Malaysia advanced from the shoot-out against Zimbabwe to secure the play-off for 21st place. Scotland overcame New Zealand, also in a shoot-out, to reach the final for 17th place, and Chile closed the day with a 2–0 win over Canada to qualify for the first final of the Challenger Trophy. The day combined classification matches, position-defining fixtures and the confirmation of the teams that will fight both for the world title and for the specific objectives of each competition segment.
Below is the full breakdown of all matches on Day 10 in Santiago.
Austria vs Namibia (Full-Time Score: 3–1)
Namibia opened the contest with greater offensive clarity on the synthetic surface of the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, finding depth in the early minutes and capitalising on a high regain that led to a field goal from captain Azaylee Philander in the 4th minute. The African side maintained this initiative with three penalty corners in the opening stages, while Austria needed to adjust their controlled outlet to balance possession and generate their first circle entries. The improvement became evident late in Q1 when Katharina Bauer equalised from a penalty corner in the 8th minute, following the first set-piece sequence from the European team.
After the restart, Austria advanced with more continuity, establishing long spells of possession in opposition territory and accumulating circle entries leading to further penalty-corner attempts. Katharina Proksch turned the match around in the second quarter with a set-piece conversion in the 21st minute, and extended the lead early in Q3 in the 30th minute, again from a penalty corner. With three conversions from six attempts and without conceding from Namibia’s four opportunities, Austria managed the final minutes with a compact defensive structure that limited transitions and maintained order until the end, securing their place in the 21st-place play-off, where they will face Malaysia.
The Player of the Match, Katharina Proksch, expressed, "We are very happy that we won, of course. We did not have the best start to the game, but we turned it around and won 3–1, and I am just so proud of my team because it is such a young team with so many young girls, and I think it is very nice that they can have this experience here".
Malaysia vs Zimbabwe (Full-Time Score: 3–3, SO: 5–3)
Malaysia and Zimbabwe contested the second fixture of the 21/24 bracket in the Chilean capital, aiming to stay in contention for 21st place. Malaysia took the initiative from the outset, settled early possession in the attacking half and opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a field goal from Tamijt Nor after strong circulation on the synthetic turf. Zimbabwe replied with three circle entries and one penalty corner in the first half, but without turning these approaches into clear shots, while Malaysia maintained the 1–0 lead at half-time through an organised defensive structure and controlled outlets.
After the restart, the Asian side extended their dominance, amassing eight circle entries and three penalty corners in Q3, one of which produced the 2–0 goal, finished by Ridzuan Nurdini in the 33rd minute. The 3–0 came in Q4 when Mohd Siti scored in the 49th minute following a high regain. When the match seemed decided, Zimbabwe reacted with sustained pressure and three goals in seven minutes: Hares Chelsey-Lee pulled one back in the 54th minute from a set-piece sequence, Amber Tozana narrowed the gap in the 56th minute also from a penalty corner, and in the 59th minute Rebeca Winsor equalised 3–3 with a field goal, forcing a shoot-out. In the shoot-out, Malaysia converted all five attempts, while Zimbabwe scored three and missed their final effort, sealing a 5–3 result that sends Malaysia into the 21st-place match against Austria, with Zimbabwe to contest 23rd place against Namibia.
The Player of the Match, Mohd Nur, expressed, "Thank you for the recognition. I am very proud of my team and I hope that we can achieve a record position in the next match".
New Zealand vs Scotland (Full-Time Score: 2–2, SO: 2–3)
New Zealand and Scotland met in the 17–20 classification route of the Challenger Trophy at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, with a powerful start from the Europeans. Scotland struck twice in Q1: first through Mhairi Low from a penalty corner in the 11th minute, and then with a field goal from Caterina Nelli in the 12th minute for a 2–0 lead. With five circle entries and very high pressure, the British side dictated the early rhythm, while New Zealand only began to find connections in Q2, although without breaking the defensive line and with a green card to Emelia Surridge that interrupted their momentum.
After the break, the Oceania team translated their statistical dominance –23 circle entries and eight penalty corners– into goals. Niamh McKenzie reduced the deficit in the 37th minute with a set-piece conversion and, in Q4, captain Riana Pho equalised 2–2 from another penalty corner in the 51st minute, completing a comeback based on persistence and variation of resources. Scotland resisted with discipline, even while receiving green cards for Nelli and Low in the second half, and took the match to a shoot-out. In the shoot-out, the Scots were more accurate, converting three of four attempts, while New Zealand scored twice, sealing the 3–2 result that sends the Europeans into the final for the Challenger Trophy awarded to the 17th-place finisher.
Scottish captain Connie Roxburgh highlighted the team’s character, expressing, "We are very happy, it was a very tough match and New Zealand made it very difficult for us, but the two goals in the first quarter gave us a good base. I am very proud of the fight from all the girls. Now we are very excited about the Challenger Trophy and we want to finish the tournament as high as possible".
Netherlands vs Belgium (Full-Time Score: 0–0, SO: 3–0)
The semi-finals featured one of their most tactical contests with the match between the Netherlands and Belgium in the afternoon session. The two highest-scoring teams of the tournament produced a duel of finely read presses, balanced risks and very narrow margins. With only eight circle entries for the Dutch and three for Belgium, the match unfolded through defensive order, midfield battles and limited space in both circles, contradicting pre-match expectations of a more offensive encounter. Each side attempted two penalty corners without success, while green cards to Sam Luttmer (NED), Perrine de Clerck and Camille Belis (BEL) reflected competitive intensity more than rough play.
The semi-final advanced to a shoot-out, where Dutch composure proved decisive. Guusje Moes opened the scoring sequence, Eline Jansen added the third and goalkeeper Maud van den Heuvel became the figure of the closing phase by securing the 3–0 result that sent the defending champions to the final. Belgium, solid throughout the 60 minutes, could not transfer that consistency into the shoot-out. With this victory, the Netherlands will play for the title on Saturday, while Belgium, after an excellent tournament, will compete for third place.
Designated Player of the Match, van den Heuvel expressed, "It feels incredible, it was such a tough match and Belgium pushed us to the limit, but we stayed calm and studied their shoot-outs well. Saving three makes me very happy. We are a very united team and we want to go as far as possible".
Argentina vs China (Full-Time Score: 3–0)
Argentina and China contested the second semi-final with a tight first half and limited space inside the circle. The Argentine team managed slightly more possession, recording two circle entries in Q1 and three in Q2, while China responded with two per quarter plus their first penalty corners in the opening minutes. Argentina earned one penalty corner per quarter, but both defensive units and goalkeepers handled each execution with discipline. The only disciplinary sanction of the first half was a green card to Tan Lei in the 15th minute, a period in which Las Leoncitas could not capitalise on the numerical superiority, and the first 30 minutes ended goalless.
After half-time, Argentina converted territorial control into set-piece effectiveness. A sequence of three consecutive penalty corners at the start of Q3 produced the 1–0, scored by Milagros Alastra from a penalty corner in the 35th minute. In the same quarter, Zoe Díaz extended the lead to 2–0 in the 44th minute with a precise sweep to the goalkeeper’s right, a well-placed finish that consolidated Argentina’s advantage. China attempted to respond in Q4 with a series of penalty corners in the 47th and 48th minutes, but could not break the defensive structure or goalkeeper Mercedes Artola. Late in the match, Alastra sealed the 3–0 in the 52nd minute with another penalty corner. With this win, Argentina secured their place in the final and will seek redemption from the 2023 title match against the Netherlands on Saturday at 19:15 local time.
The Player of the Match was Zoe Díaz, who expressed, "We knew it would be a very difficult match, China are a very strong team. We are very happy with this win, and now we have to keep working because we have a very tough opponent waiting for us in the final".
Canada vs Chile (Full-Time Score: 0–2)
The final match of the day began evenly, with both teams attempting to establish controlled outlets on the synthetic surface without early deep incursions into the circle. Chile found greater attacking fluency from Q2 onwards, combining recoveries in midfield with wide progressions that produced two consecutive circle entries. The opening goal came in the 23rd minute when Josefa Lüders finished a transition that bypassed Canada’s first pressing line. Canada did not generate penalty corners in the first half, while Chile closed the opening 30 minutes with four circle entries and moderate territorial control.
After half-time, the hosts adjusted their structure and consolidated an organised pressing approach that allowed them to sustain five circle entries in Q3 and force three penalty corners, although none were converted. Game management remained steady through patient circulation and controlled use of the outlet to avoid turnovers. The second goal arrived in the 48th minute when Laura Müller executed a clean drag-flick from a penalty corner to extend the lead. Canada responded with direct attacks in the final stretch, but without generating penalty corners and finishing with only five circle entries in total. The closing phase showed Chile in a compact block, managing possession and restricting spaces in their 23m to secure the result, which sends them to the 17th-place final on Friday at 20:15 against Scotland as part of the inaugural Challenger Trophy.
Player of the Match Isidora Caravia expressed, "This match was very important for us, because we needed to give our best in every moment. I am very happy with the win. We still have one match left, so we must stay focused and perform at our best".
FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025
Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional – Santiago, Chile
Result: Match 1
Austria 3–1 Namibia
Player of the Match: Katharina Proksch (AUT)
Umpires: Minami Inamoto – Claudia Montino
Result: Match 2
Malaysia 3–3 Zimbabwe (SO: 5–3)
Player of the Match: Mohd Nur (MAS)
Umpires: Katie Howie – Valerie Koh
Result: Match 3
New Zealand 2–2 Scotland (SO: 2–3)
Player of the Match: Marianna Maclean (SCO)
Umpires: Ana Ortega – Alex Miles
Result: Match 4 – Semi-final
Netherlands 0–0 Belgium (SO: 3–0)
Player of the Match: Maud van den Heuvel (NED)
Umpires: Irene Presenqui – Juan Pedro Rodriguez
Result: Match 5 – Semi-final
Argentina 3–0 China
Player of the Match: Zoe Díaz (ARG)
Umpires: Allison Mikelson – Ayanna McClean
Result: Match 6
Canada 0–2 Chile
Player of the Match: Isidora Caravia (CHI)
Umpires: Brian Tyson – Shane Lewis
