Shutouts Only to Kick Off Women’s Matches at World Cup Qualifier in Santiago

It was straight chalk down the line for all four women’s matches at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifier in Santiago, Chile. The favorites of Pool A, Australia and Chile, shut out France and Switzerland, respectively. It was the same story in Pool B, as Japan defeated Canada, 4-0, and Ireland dominated Malaysia, 5-0.

(Women’s) Japan 4 – 0 Canada

Akari Nakagomi got things started for Japan with a powerful strike in the opening frame, setting the tone for an eventual 4-0 win. Fans would have to wait a half hour for Japan’s next goal, but they would not be disappointed with Miyu Hasegawa’s cheeky swat out of the air to put her team up 2-0. A finish two minutes later from captain Saki Tanaka gave Japan a three-goal lead heading into the final frame.

A foul in the circle from Canada’s defense in the fourth set up Maiko Mikami’s perfectly executed penalty stroke, and Japan took a 4-0 victory.

Japan’s Shiho Kobayakawa was honored as player of the match.

“We are so happy,” said Akio Tanaka, Japan’s goalkeeper. “We have another game tomorrow, so we have to win that game so we’ll prepare next for the win.”

(Women’s) Ireland 5 – 0 Malaysia

Despite Malaysia’s valiant first quarter efforts, Ireland eventually found its stride and unleashed its offense, with five different players scoring goals.

The switch flipped in the 21st minute when Kathryn Mullan tallied the first goal for Ireland. From then on, Ireland was on the front foot, and it was just a few minutes later that Caoimhe Perdue converted on penalty corner. As the first half ended, Malaysia’s earlier circle penetrations seemed a distant memory, as a now-dominating Ireland side led 2-0.

Fortune favored Ireland again in the third, starting with an excellent run up the field from Sarah McAuley which ended in a reverse shot goal to give

Ireland a 3-0 advantage. Malaysia’s focus slipped, suffering a five-minute yellow card and a fourth Ireland goal, this time at the hands of Michelle Carey. A penalty corner goal from Roisin Upton put Ireland up 5-0 to end the frame.

With three minutes remaining, Malaysia earned its first set piece chance, but a consolation goal stayed out of reach. Two Malaysia yellow cards and one missed Ireland penalty stroke later, Ireland finished with a 5-0 shutout.

Charlotte Beggs of Ireland earned her 50th cap.

Ireland’s Michelle Carey was named player of the match. “We started maybe a little bit nervous, a little bit slow maybe, but I think we grew into the game and that’s the important thing, just finding our feet at the start of the week,” said Carey. “We scored a few nice goals out there and we’re looking forward to tomorrow now.”

(Women’s) Australia 4 – 0 France

It didn’t take long for Australia to display why they are a top-10 team. In the seventh minute, Neasa Flynn received an aerial ball, dribbled around the goalkeeper, and gave Australia the only lead they would need.

The second frame featured an unrelenting attack from the Hockeyroos, as they capitalized in three instances. Grace Stewart opened the scoring in the second stanza at the 19-minute mark, followed in succession by Stephanie Kershaw and Alice Arnott, giving Australia a 4-0 lead at halftime.

France came out more composed in the third, tempering Australia and creating a few offensive chances of its own. It was able to keep Australia off the board for the remainder of the match, but still couldn’t find any goals of its own, falling 4-0.

Australia midfielder Amy Lawton picked up her 100th cap.

Stephanie Kershaw of Australia was named player of the match. “We’re really happy to come out and win, we wanted to win our first game and we’re happy we did that 4-0,” said Kershaw. “We would’ve liked to have scored some more [goals] in the second half, but we wanted to stick to our processes of holding the ball and passing it around.”

(Women’s) Chile 6 – 0 Switzerland

The day ended with Chile turning in the most commanding performance of the day, blanking Switzerland, 6-0, in front of its home crowd.

Despite a scoreless opening quarter, the hosts felt more dangerous offensively. All its pressure paid off in the 20th minute when captain Manuela Urroz notched back-to-back goals. Urroz’s first was a reverse sweep that got past Switzerland’s goalkeeper, and the second a well-timed tip on Maria Maldonado’s shot.

The second quarter also featured a tough break for Switzerland, who failed to convert on its first penalty corner chance and promptly gave up a Maria Maldonado score on the other end to put Chile up 3-0.

Switzerland refused to lay down, garnering a second set piece chance in the third but were unable to tally. Chile came right back on the attack, scoring two more goals on penalty corners from Denise Rojas Losada and Fernanda Arrieta. The goals didn’t stop there, as Fernanda Villagran got in on the action with a set piece conversion to put Chile up 6-0 in the final frame.

Chile’s Maria Maldonado earned player of the match. “I think the team played a great match and had a great start,” said Maldonado. “Six goals is pretty good for us, and for being the first match of the tournament I think it’s very good to start.”

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Santiago, click here.

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FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier 2026 Santiago – March 2, 2026

Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional

Santiago, Chile

Results:

Japan 4 – 0 Canada

Player of the match: Shiho Kobayakawa (JPN)

Umpires: Kamile Mockaityte (LTU), James Unkles (AUS), Liu Xiaoying (CHN) – video

Ireland 5 – 0 Malaysia

Player of the match: Michelle Carey (IRL)

Umpires: Hyosik You (KOR), Jamie Telfer (SCO), Maggie Giddens (USA) – video