Thu 16th Jan 2014England win sudden death penalty shootout to qualify for semi-finals The team beat France at the Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club earlier today
England have qualified for the semi-finals of the FIP Snow Polo World Cup, with victory over France at the Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club in Tianjin, China.
The team of Max Routledge, Jack Richardson and Max Charlton came up against a tough France line-up of Clement Delfosse, Pierre-Henri N'Goumou and Brieuc Rigaux in today's quarter-final clash. Both sides struggled to get ahead, with heavy marking throughout the match. England suffered a blow during the final chukka when Routledge was hit by a stick, knocking out some teeth and forcing him to leave the field. Five-goaler Richard Le Poer came on in his place, but the score remained tied at 4-4 after the regulation four chukkas.
With both teams still level on penalties, a sudden death shootout took place, with Richardson blocking N'Goumou's shot at goal to secure his side a place in the semi-finals against Chile.
The Chilean line-up of Ignacio Vial Mazieres, Juan Eduardo Jaramillo and Matias Vial got the better of New Zealand in another tense penalty shootout, with the Kiwi captain Sam Hopkinson's shot falling agonisingly short of the goal line.
Hosts Hong Kong China will play Brazil in the first of Saturday's semi-final matches.
To view a full list of teams, fixtures and results please click here.
Photograph: Max Routledge, in here earlier in the tournament, suffered an injury against France
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