New Zealand’s women Black Sticks won their first tournament match, defeating India 3-0 at the BDO women’s World Cup on Tuesday, Argentine time.
This means the Black Sticks finished fourth place in Pool A and will go the 7-8 playoff on Friday against China.
Black Sticks Women's Coach Mark Hager believes his team has fulfilled their expectations for the tournament.
“We had expectations of a top eight finish and we have achieved that,” Hager said.
The Black Sticks took the honours in the first half with four shots on goal and two penalty corners but could not find the net.
Clarissa Eshuis’ flick was saved and cleared to the backline on New Zealand’s first corner and Kayla Sharland flicked New Zealand's second penalty corner just outside the left post.
Samantha Harrison and Charlotte Harrison shot wide to the right and birthday girl Krystal Forgesson had a goal disallowed as her high pass towards goal which deflected off a defender into goal was adjudged as a pass not a shot at goal and therefore dangerous.
India’s 16 year old striker Rani Rampal troubled New Zealand twice in the first half along the left backline and she made India’s only clear shot on goal which went wide of the right upright and no player there to make the easy put in.
India succumbed to yellow card fever in the second half as first Subhadra Pradhan went off in the 41st minute then Chanchan Thokchom seven minutes later.
The Black Sticks spread India wide to gain valuable possession in the circle and score all three goals, punishing India's indiscretions.
Kayla Sharland made a powerful backstick shot from the top of the circle, saved by India’s goalkeeper Dipika Gongala.
A minute later Sharland shot through the legs of Gangala into goal.
Seven minutes later, New Zealand punished India’s second yellow card suspension by spreading the attack wide down the left for Krystal Forgesson to drive to goal and Katie Glynn to deflect into goal past Gongala.
Sharland fired in New Zealand’s first penalty corner conversion of the tournament, a variation at the battery to the left for Sharland to flick high inside the left post.
Black Stick Stacey Carr received a yellow card in a minute later and Katie Glynn another 10 minutes later however New Zealand kept possession for long periods to thwart India’s attack and deny India scoring chances.
Black Stick Captain Kayla Sharland was delighted with the result.
“It is great to come away with the win and while it was not the prettiest hockey, at the end of the day we have three points so I was pleased that we could keep going and keep running for the three points,” Sharland said.
“It was good to get both goals and to score the penalty corner but the team worked hard to earn the corner,” Sharland said.
India coach Sandeep Somesh agreed his team conceded goals.
“It is difficult to defend against an attacking team when you have players off the pitch for long periods,” Somesh said.
Photo: Kayla Sharland runs the ball ahead against India (Credit: Hockey Press Argentina)
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