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New Zealand set up its last pool match with Australia 1-1 after a fiercely contested tie between the Trans-Tasman rivals.
The result means that the Vantage Black Sticks Women will now play in the round against Argentina to have the right to play again against Australia in the quarterfinals.
The two teams began the game knowing that their fate was in their hands, a win would mean the top of the pool and all the important direct passage to the last eight.
A tight start to the match in conditions much colder than previous matches in London led to equal teams canceling each other with both sides in strong defense.
It was the Vantage Black Sticks who drew the first blood. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Australia tried to play the ball at the back. Busy Kiwi striker Kelsey Smith forced defensive errors by Jodie Kenny and Georgina Morgan, taking possession of the ball and shooting in a shot that was saved by Australian goalkeeper Rachael Lynch. New Zealander Olivia Merry, however, was quick to pounce, marking the return home. New Zealand 1-0 up.
It did not take long for the Hockeyroos to fight back in the second quarter. The goal of the Kiwis has apparently stimulated opposition in life. In the 18th minute, Edwina Bone shot perfectly on the center of the right flank on the path of Hockeyroo captain Emily Smith. She took two small touches to master the ball, then quietly finished under goalkeeper Sally Rutherford.
The game had now increased the pace significantly and it was the Kiwis who thought they were taking the lead when Sam Harrison found himself free in the circle, meeting a crossbar at full speed and attempting a sweeping shot inverted in the bottom of the net. . She has been converted and the Kiwis have celebrated. A reference video however showed that the attacker had clearly hit the ball with the back of his stick and the referee duly granted Australia a free kick and refused the goal.
The game continued to fluctuate and sink. Towards the end of the second quarter, the New Zealand pressure led to three consecutive penalty corners as New Zealand beat a winner.
The second half started with the teams stuck at 1-1 and it was Australia that seemed most likely to score with good possession and a powerful counterattack, the hockeyroos returning the ball more and more frequently.
Although Australia starved Stacey Michelsen and Anita Mclaren from a supply line, the number of Kiwi shots continued to rise, Kelsey Smith forcing a great rescue from the Australian goalkeeper.
While both teams were looking for the winner in the fourth quarter, it was New Zealand that came in force. Good construction game of the Vantage Black Sticks women led to a fantastic ball in the circle that found Olivia Merry in the space, she moved the ball into a shooting position and set off a shrinking strike towards the goal, but unfortunately for the Kiwi directly in Rachael Lynch's feet in the Australian goal.
New Zealand's pressure on Stacey Michelsen's left and Anita Mclaren's good work in the circle led to another chance, this time falling to Madison Doar who found the space before shooting the ball.
The Kiwi continued with over 55% possession and 4 shots to Australias 1 in the last quarter, but that was not enough and Hockeyroo's have held up well.
Vantage Black Sticks Women's coach Mark Hager said it was heartbreaking not to win the game and dominate the group, especially after recording 17 shots in Australia 9.
" It was a typical Australian against New Zealand The chances of winning the game, probably our inability to the goal made us a little hurt, which is disappointing. "
The team is now faced in Argentina, ranked number 3, in a cross match. Hager said his team will be ready to go again.
"We are confident in every game we lead and we are getting ready and we come play our game and get it right."
This game can be seen on Sky Sports at 7:15 am on Tuesday, July 31st.
CLICK HERE to check out the Vantage Black Sticks FACEBOOK page and find out what it means for them to play at this 2018 Women's World Cup.
VANTAGE BLACK STICKS: 1 (Olivia Merry 13 & # 39; ) [19659002] AUSTRALIA: 1 (Emily Smith 18 & …)
Halftime: 1 – 1
– This page was automatically published using the release media of Hockey NZ
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