Black Sticks finishes strong to beat Belgium in Women's World Cup opening

TIM IRELAND / AP

Zealand's Olivia Merry celebrates a goal, one of two for the match, in her first World Cup match against Belgium.

A few clinical finishes helped the Black Sticks kick off their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory. Belgium in London

A second half of striker Olivia Merry allowed New Zealand to finish far too strong in her first Group D game after being led 2-1 in the middle Sunday time. Gloyn was the other two scorers of New Zealand in a match that they were supposed to win, ranked fourth in the world in 13th place in Belgium

TIM IRELAND / AP

The Black Sticks rejoice after Kelsey Smith, center,

The Black Sticks will face Japan on Tuesday night (23:30 NZT), after losing 3-2 to Australia at of their first match.

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Coach Mark Hager was happy that his team wins all three points despite the flipping of the ball too often.

TIM IRELAND / AP

The Belgian Louise Versavel is the guardian Sally Rutherford of New Zealand

"What is good, is that we went out after the half time. "We have not underestimated Belgium, we are in a really tough group, we are facing Japan next and I thought it was playing really well against Australia"

] New Zealand took the initiative after 24 minutes from a penalty corner when Smit It took a decisive touch to foil a shot from Anita McLaren

It was not necessary It was not long before the downturn was in favor of Belgium as Louise Versavel converted the pressure into the New Zealand penalty area, and after an attack on the left flank, Jill Boon struck a powerful shot from behind. Beyond Goalkeeper Sally Rutherford

New Zealand got off to a good start umpteenth half of another penalty corner, when a McLaren saw Gloyn get the crucial touch.

Then he became the Merry show. Striker Aisling D'Hooghe gave the advantage to New Zealand (3-2-2).

Rutherford saved the pressure from Belgium, then a big defensive tackle De Stacey Michelsen avoided another raid.

In a final quarterfinal, New Zealand sealed it when Frances Davies' shot was stopped on the line and a penalty shot was awarded. Joyeux quietly split it to win the points for the Black Sticks

ONE SEARCH COUPLE

4 Black Sticks (Kelsey Smith 24 & "Shiloh Gloyn 32", Olivia Merry 32 ", 54") Belgium 2 (Louise Versavel 28 ", Jill Boon 30"). HT: 1-2.

– Stuff