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After reprieves, protests and appeals, the U.S. Women’s National Team still does not know when it will get the chance to earn a qualifying berth for the 2002 World Cup.

The team will, however, play in the six team Champions Challenge, February 9-17 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The U.S. will join host South Africa, Korea, England, India and possibly Japan, at the inaugural event. Japan was invited to replace Germany after members of the German team were unable to gain release from their indoor club squads to attend the tournament.

Following a decision by the FIH Disciplinary Committee, Ireland and Lithuania would have joined the Champions Challenge in an event that would have served as a qualifier to the 2002 World Cup. The two teams would have joined India and the U.S. in playing for two remaining World Cup spots.

But with appeals by Lithuania and Ireland still to be heard by the Court for Arbitration in Sport, and South Africa citing the inability to accommodate an expanded, 8-team tournament, the original six-team format for the Champions Challenge will take place in Johannesburg. The U.S. was originally scheduled to meet India in a three game series to determine the final World Cup qualifier, however, the details of the series and any possible additions to the qualifying process, must now wait until the Court of Arbitration’s ruling.

Controversy at the Qualifier

Lithuania and Ireland joined India and the U.S. as teams with uncertain World Cup futures when the FIH Disciplinary Committee ruled in favor of Lithuania at a Nov. 29 meeting. In response to an appeal on a controversial crossover match at September’s World Cup Qualifier, the Committee granted Lithuania another chance to qualify for the World Cup, while returning Ireland to the pool of teams seeking to qualify for the World Cup.

At the Qualifier, Lithuania apparently won the disputed match in a penalty stroke competition against Ireland on Sept. 29. After the two teams played to a 2-2 draw through regulation and extra time, Lithuania looked as if it would advance to the World Cup after winning the second round of strokes. However, Ireland’s protest that the second round of strokes began with a technical error was upheld, and the teams were scheduled to replay the strokes the following day. Lithuania did not show up for the replay, and was declared withdrawn from the tournament. As a result, Ireland advanced to the World Cup by virtue of at least a sixth place finish, while the withdrawal from the tournament caused Lithuania to forfeit its remaining game against India. Ireland went on to defeat Scotland in the 5th/6th place game, while India was awarded the 7th place spot and a chance to play the USA for the final World Cup berth.

Ireland, Lithuania Appeal

Both Ireland and Lithuania have indicated they will now appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. Ireland seeks to reverse the decision of the FIH Disciplinary Committee and regain its spot in the World Cup, while Lithuania seeks the World Cup spot based on the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and its original penalty stroke victory.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is not expected to hear the appeals and issue decisions before the end of February or the beginning of March, 2002.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks prevented the US from attending the World Cup Qualifier, the FIH granted the U.S. a chance to qualify through a best-of-three series with the Qualifier’s seventh-place team.

The series and the Champions Challenge were originally to take place in India but were moved to South Africa when participating nations were unable to travel to India under the prevailing political climate.

Expanded US Squad

US Head Coach Tracey Belbin will have an expanded squad to choose from when selecting the team to represent the US at the Champions Challenge.

The squad will include the current athletes in the Women’s residency program as well as seven athletes selected at a special invitational trial. US Under-21 team members April Fronzoni and Kiley Kulina were added to the squad in addition to former US Under-21 team member Keli Smith and former national team member Antoinette Lucas. Current national team members Carrie Lingo, Carla Tagliente and Amy Tran will also rejoin the squad for the Challenge.

Current residency team members include Kate Barber, Natalie Dawson, Jill Dedman, Tracey Fuchs, Kelli Gannon, Tara Jelley, Katie Kauffman, Tracey Larson, Kristen McCann, Melanie Meerschwam, Kim Miller, Jill Reeve, Mimi Smith, and Peggy Storrar.

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