by Bruce Hamilton
NOTTINGHAM, England, July 17, 2010
A two all draw between the Black Sticks Women and England on Saturday (UK) time saw New Zealand arrive on the scoreboard, and was a heartening way for Gemma Flynn to celebrate her 50th cap at the Samsung Champions Trophy in Nottingham.
The Black Sticks now play off for fifth and sixth place against China later today (9.30am UK time, and 8.30pm NZT, live on SKY Sport 1).
England went into Saturday’s final round robin match knowing they had only to beat New Zealand to make their first women’s field hockey Champions Trophy final and those hopes were dashed by New Zealand’s 2-2 draw.
England then had to rely on Argentina losing or drawing with China to advance to the final after the draw, but those hopes were also dashed when Argentina defeated China 4-3, scoring the go ahead goal through a penalty corner conversion in the last minute, shattering the hopes of the near capacity English crowd.
Argentina’s win equalled England’s 10 points but secured a finals berth with a better goal difference than England.
The draw gave New Zealand their first point in the tournament and kept alive New Zealand’s record of not losing to England in Champions Trophy tournaments, now having won twice and drawn once in three meetings.
New Zealand’s Piki Hamahona tore apart England’s defence early in the first half, collected a pass from Katie Glynn on the right and ran 45 metres into the circle to score past England goalkeeper Beth Storry.
Katie Glynn helped Gemma Flynn put New Zealand ahead 2-0 half way through the first half, punishing England’s defensive error and passing to Flynn in the circle to shoot then take the rebound off Storry’s pads to score into the left corner.
Nicola White’s field goal and Crista Cullen’s penalty corner conversion equaliser locked the score at 2-2 at the break.
Both teams played for the win in the second half in an arm-wrestle of changing fortunes, without scoring.
England had a penalty corner chance in the last minute, saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit, clearing Cullen’s high flick with seconds on the clock.
Black Sticks Women's Coach Mark Hager was not enthused by New Zealand’s performance.
“We were patchy although obviously the two goals in the first half were pleasing, but apart from that, in the second half, I don’t think we created too many opportunities so we need to learn to play for 70 minutes rather than for 15 minutes,” Hager said.
England coach Danny Kerry is impressed with New Zealand.
“I have watched the matches of New Zealand here and I think this New Zealand squad is very talented – they should have beaten Netherlands and Argentina if they had taken their chances and they upset some of our defenders,” Kerry said.
Sunday Netherlands and Argentina play for gold, Germany and England play for bronze and China meet New Zealand to avoid the wooden spoon.
CLICK HERE TO READ HOCKEY NEW ZEALAND TECHNICAL MATCH REPORT
ENDS
