BDO World Cup Qualifier in Santiago Chile at the Manquehue Hockey Club
Five teams battled for their right to compete at the upcoming 2010 World Cup in Rosario, Argentina.
Between April 21 and May 2 was played at the Manquehue Hockey Club in Santiago, Chile the last BDO World Cup Qualifier, which offered only one place to the event to be held in Rosario, Argentina, later in the month of August this year.
Competing in the tournament were five teams; Australia (5th), Ireland (15th), Chile (16th), Malaysia (22nd) and Scotland (23rd), which used the format 'all against all' with no finals. These teams competed for the only quota that was available.
Australia - fifth in the world ranking- was the favorite to win the tournament. However, 'The Diablitas' (Chilean Team) tried to optimize their position as host country, from their second place result in the recent South American Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, where Daniela Infante, one of the three sisters playing for Chile, was chosen as the best player in the South American tournament and their current best ever world ranking (16th), to help them earn the prestigious berth for the upcoming World Cup in Argentina.
Due to problems with the European air traffic, due to the natural desaster in Iceland, the selections of Malaysia, Scotland and Ireland were not able to arrive on time to Chile, so the final fixture was modified twice in order to accommodate the late arrivals and allocate enough time to familiarize and settle in Santiago.
Chile and Australia, the only two teams in Santiago at the start of the tournament, played on Saturday April 24 the first game. This was, perhaps the only tournament that started without having all participating teams already at the competition site. Australia won the first game of the tournament in front of over 2,000 Hockey enthusiasts imposing themselves as the clear favorite to win the prestigious right to compete at the World Cup Championships.
The Chilean team was ready for the tournament, even after suffering the devastating earthquake that stroked Chile last February. Each member of the Chilean team managed to help those families in need while continuing their preparation for the tournament. However, was Scotland that offered the most surprising performance of all competing teams
A strong Scotland presented themselves dominant, skillful and with a superb attitude as they did during the last Celtic Cup Championship which they won. In Chile, they continued the efficient performance giving them a clear position of advantage over Malaysia, Ireland and Chile.
This was the last qualifier for the World Cup Argentina 2010. Which will be held in Rosario, Argentina, August 30 to September 12.
The twelve teams that will compete for the world title are: Netherlands, Argentina, Germany, China, England, Spain, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, and Australia.
