After Friday’s freezing conditions the weather turned balmy for the clash between the Hockeyroos and the Black Sticks Women at the BDO women’s World Cup on Sunday in Argentina (Monday NZT).
The Black Sticks wore black arm bands in sympathy with the Christchurch earthquake victims.
The Black Sticks were on the scoreboard in the fifth minute when Krystal Forgesson was at the end of passes from Stacey Carr to Charlotte Harrison and on to Forgesson to slot in from close range for the Blacksticks only goal.
Kobie McGurk converted Australia’s first penalty corner to equalise, driving in and getting a deflection off Beth Jurgeleit in goal, seven minutes later.
Australia’s errors in turning over possession in the midfield to New Zealand gave chances to Charlotte Harrison which went wide or over goal in the first half.
New Zealand defended two penalty corners early in the second half as Australia applied more pressure than in the first half and sharpened their ball distribution.
Australia put the game out of the Black Sticks' reach late in the second half with three similar goals in the second half, making rebounds off Beth Jurgeleit’s pads.
Ashleigh Nelson scored twice and Shelly Liddelow once for the final score of 4-1.
Blackstick coach Mark Hager believes New Zealand was competitive.
“We were competitive for long periods in the first half and we made some good scoring chances but we suffered with players on suspension for about 9 minutes in the second half and against a team like Australia they will punish you for that, so in the end we were beaten by a better team,” Hager said.
Australia coach Frank Murray believes Australia was fortunate to win.
“Both teams made plenty of scoring opportunities and fortunately we were the one to convert some of those deep in the second half,” Murray said.
Black Sticks Captain Kayla Sharland can see where New Zealand needs to improve.
“We made simple mistakes and we need to be a bit smarter in our attacking circle and when we are down a player we seemed to lose structure, so that is frustrating and disappointing,” Sharland said.
New Zealand next plays India on Tuesday (Argentina time) in the last Pool A match for the Black Sticks.
Photo: Stacey Michelsen had a strong game on a attack (Credit: Argentina Hockey Press)
ENDS
PARTNERS
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