China edged South Korea to set up a meeting with Japan ©FIH

China and Japan will clash for ninth place at the Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup after both nations won their respective classification matches at the Club Deportivo Manquehue in Santiago.

The Chinese side came through a tough battle with South Korea as they claimed a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Tang Wanli’s goal in the 44th minute.

Japan enjoyed a much more comfortable outing as they beat the host nation Chile 6-1.

In the other two contests to take place today, New Zealand thrashed Zimbabwe 16-0 and South Africa earned a 3-1 penalty shoot-out success against France after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw.

South Korea and Chile will meet to decide who finishes in 11th place, while New Zealand will go up against South Africa for 13th spot.

France are set to entertain Zimbabwe in the 15th and 16th place play-off, with all matches due to be held on Saturday (December 3).

China and South Korea were locked in a hard-fought contest before Wanli broke the deadlock in the second-half and the eventual victors then had a glorious chance to double their lead eight minutes from time.

New Zealand recorded the biggest win of the tournament so far as they thrashed Zimbabwe 16-0 ©FIH
New Zealand recorded the biggest win of the tournament so far as they thrashed Zimbabwe 16-0 ©FIH

Following good combination play, Zhou Yu and Li Hong forced a mistake from the South Korean team but Li’s penalty stroke flew wide of the most.

Fortunately for the Chinese side, they were not made to rue that missed opportunity as their defence held firm to see out a slender victory.

New Zealand managed to hit the highest score at this year’s edition of the Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup as they found the net 16 times against a shellshocked Zimbabwe.

Captain Phoebe Steele was the pick of the scorers as she finished with four, while Alia Jaques netted a hat-trick and Kayla Reed, Stephanie Dickins, Deanna Ritchie and Megan Hull all bagged braces.

Tarryn Davey also got her name on the scoresheet.

“We were disappointed not to make the quarter-finals so we wanted to go out and play our game," Steele said.

“The girls certainly enjoyed this one.”

The tournament continues tomorrow with the semi-finals and the 5th to 8th classification matches.

The Netherlands, bidding for a third straight title, take on Spain in the last four and Argentina entertain Australia.

The United States go up against Belgium in the first 5th to 8th place classification contest before Germany play England.