South Africa, Ireland, Japan and Spain closed out their participation with authority on Day 11 of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025, a day dedicated to determining the positions from ninth to sixteenth place. South Africa’s win over Korea set the emotional tone, with a team determined to finish on a high, while Ireland capitalised on their collective solidity to defeat Wales and secure 13th place. In the South American–Asian clash, Japan found the necessary precision to overcome a Uruguay side that once again competed on equal terms.

The final match of the day belonged to India and Spain, two teams that, based on their level, could easily have been among the top eight. They delivered a match befitting the weight of the battle for ninth place: high technical quality, sustained intensity and a result that rewarded Spain’s clarity in the decisive moments. Friday will determine the positions from 5th to 8th and from 17th to 20th, while Saturday will host the grand final between Argentina and the Netherlands.

Below is the full breakdown of all matches on Day 11 in Santiago.

South Africa vs Korea (Full-Time Score: 5–0)

South Africa established control from the outset on the synthetic surface of the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, managing tempo and long circulations to settle frequently in the attacking third. High pressing produced quick recoveries and seven circle entries in the opening phase, crowned by Anja Tromp’s 1–0 finish in the 3rd minute following a short sequence after a penalty corner. In Q2, the South African structure remained firm as Thabelani Metu extended the lead in the 19th minute, followed by a transition completed by Ntsopa Mokoena for 3–0 in the 24th minute. Variations from the penalty corner produced three consecutive executions between minutes 29 and 30, consolidating territorial dominance before half-time.

Upon resumption, South Africa maintained rhythm through controlled exits and alternating direct play with wide circulation. Another penalty corner in the 36th minute allowed Tromp to score the 4–0. The closing stretch combined game management with intermittent pressure and drag-flick variations, one of which led to Teshawn de la Rey’s 5–0 in the 56th minute. Korea generated five penalty corners but South Africa defended all attempts with organisation in their 23m and disciplined closing of lines. South Africa finished in 15th place, while Korea concluded in 16th.

After the match, Ntsopa Mokoena expressed, "We came here with a mission to perform, and even though the tournament wasn’t so good in the middle, we decided to finish it on a good note. The key learning is to stay united, play as a team, trust one another and give your best in every moment. Thank you to everyone at home for supporting us, we really appreciate it."

Wales vs Ireland (Full-Time Score: 0–3)

Ireland opened with territorial control, repeatedly entering the Welsh 23m through stable circulation and pressure in the build-up. In Q1, Ireland produced four circle entries and three consecutive penalty corners between minutes 9 and 10, sustaining their attack until Matilde Errico scored with a deflection in the 13th minute following a high recovery. Wales responded through transitions but without converting their early approaches. In Q2, Ireland continued to force penalty corners from wide combinations, while Wales resisted with a low defensive block.

The match remained balanced in circle entries in Q3, though Ireland managed possession phases more effectively. In Q4, Ireland converted twice from penalty corners: Milla Fulton struck for 2–0 in the 52nd minute with a direct execution, and Amy Handcock added the 3–0 two minutes later. Ireland secured 13th place, while Wales concluded in 14th.

Player of the Match Milla Fulton expressed, "I’m really happy we managed to end on a high today. We knew it would be tough, but we really came out strong and it was a good win for us. I’m really happy with the performance and looking forward to the next steps."

Uruguay vs Japan (Full-Time Score: 0–1)

Uruguay and Japan contested a tightly balanced match, with alternating possessions and compact defensive structures on both ends. Q1 featured cautious circulation, with seven Japanese entries and four from Uruguay, all denied by low defensive lines. In Q2, Uruguay earned three consecutive penalty corners between minutes 19 and 29 but could not break through Japan’s compact structure.

Japan found efficiency early in Q3: a short aerial pass initiated a double touch in the air inside the circle, where Sana Hayasuke finished with a subtle first-time effort less than a metre from goal for the 1–0 in the 33rd minute. Uruguay generated another penalty corner in Q4 but without clear execution options. Japan managed the final stretch with control and finished in 11th place, while Uruguay concluded in 12th.

Uruguay’s Sol Martínez expressed, "Despite the final result, we are extremely proud of what we achieved here. Finishing in this position is historic for Uruguay. Even though today was not our day, this makes us stronger. The main lesson is that we are right there, and it all comes down to details. We will keep working."

India vs Spain (Full-Time Score: 1–2)

India and Spain delivered a high-level contest for ninth place, with Spain showing greater clarity in circulation and in their exits from the back. Spain progressively opened spaces along the right flank until the breakthrough in Q2: a driven cross from the wing and a delicate deflection from Natalia Vilanova redirected the ball entirely for the 1–0 in the 15th minute. India struggled to generate circle entries in the first half and relied on defensive work inside the 23m.

Q3 concentrated the drama. India briefly drew level, but the goal was overturned following a video umpire referral detecting an infringement. Immediately afterwards, Spain struck from a penalty corner: a clean reception at the top and a low, firm strike from Esther Canales made it 2–0 in the 35th minute, her second goal of the night. India cut the margin through a penalty corner executed by Kanika Siwach, whose low effort bounced subtly and displaced the goalkeeper in the 41st minute. Spain controlled the final phase to secure ninth place, leaving India in tenth.

Player of the Match Teresa Sáenz de Santa María expressed, "Today was very close, but I think we stayed on our plan and worked well as a team. We started very low, that’s true, but we kept pushing and improved throughout the match. I can’t wait for the next game, thank you very much."

FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025

Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional – Santiago, Chile

Result - Match 1 - 15/16th

South Africa 5–0 Korea

Player of the Match: Paris-Gail Isaacs (RSA)

Umpires: Fatma Mahmoud - Lani Nichol

Result - Match 2 - 13/14th

Wales 0–3 Ireland

Player of the Match: Milla Fulton (IRL)

Umpires: Maggie Giddens - Ana Ortega

Result - Match 3 - 11/12th

Uruguay 0–1 Japan

Player of the Match: Kokona Tanaka (JPN)

Umpires: Shane Lewis - Tamara Leonard

Result - Match 4 - 9/10th

India 1–2 Spain

Player of the Match: Teresa Sáenz de Santa María (ESP)

Umpires: Minami Inamoto - Irene Presenqui