England win penalty shoot-out to take 11th place

The 11/12 place play-off was decided in dramatic fashion when England's slender 1-0 lead was cancelled out by a last-minute equaliser and the game went to shoot-out. England's experience paid off as they won the shoot-out 2-1, largely thanks to the excellent 'keeping by England's Maddie Hinch. The goal-scorers for England in the shoot-out were Sally Walton and Susie Gilbert, Belgium's sole scorer was Aline Fobe.

The 13th-ranked young Belgium side worked hard in the heat of the Kyocera Stadium, but for most of the game failed to really trouble an England team that looked tired, dejected but competent. England, who took the lead in the 16th minute, spent the last period of the game with only nine players on the pitch, when captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and Susannah Townsend were both dismissed with yellow cards. England defended well and survived this, but in the final minute Belgium – who had removed their 'keeper to have 11 field players – scored from a penalty corner, Emilie Sinia the hero for the Red Panthers.

Within the game, it was the Red Panthers who made the first real threat on goal, but Maddie Hinch made a fantastic save to deny Alix Gerniers. England came back at them with a series of attacking runs from the forwards, led by Alex Danson and Susie Gilbert. England's goal was scored by Gilbert after she made a positive run down the right-side of the Belgium pitch and then crossed it for Sophie Bray (16') to deflect home. England had found the net earlier, but the penalty corner shot from Shipperley was correctly deemed too high.

Gerniers almost equalised for a second time, but found Hinch in good form, standing strong against a close range shot. Buoyed by Gerniers attempt, the Red Panthers went on the offensive and Emilie Sinia was also unlucky not to score. 

England lost the services of Ashleigh Ball in the early part of the second half, but this seemed to spur the England players on, with Kate Richardson-Walsh, Gilbert and Nicola White all running at the Belgium defence, but foiled time and again by Aisling D'Hooghe in the Belgium goal.

The game seemed to be heading towards a single goal victory for England, but Belgium, for the second time during this competition, removed their 'keeper and pushed for a goal. They were rewarded for their persistence and Stephanie de Groof scored the equaliser, taking the game to shoot-out.