Kiwis score historic win over Australia

New Zealand beat Australia 3-2 for their first women’s Champions  Trophy field hockey win over their trans-Tasman neighbour and move to second place in Pool B here Sunday.

In the other local derby, Netherlands defeated Germany 2-1 to secure a semi-final place.

   In Pool A, Argentina took care of China 4-1 and England drew 2-2  with South Korea.

   New Zealand have only beaten Australia ten times in 85 all-time matches between them since 1935.

   Adam Commens, Australia coach, reflected: “We saw today that New  Zealand are quite a dangerous team, able to score easily if we give  them enough space while our style of hockey relies on creating a lot of chances and converting them.”   

Katie Glynn and Krystal Forgesson tore Australia’s defence to pieces, scoring field goals a minute apart early in the first half.

   New Zealand went 3-0 ahead early in the second half through Cathryn Finlayson’s slap in of Charlotte Harrison’s cross and Australia looked in big trouble.

   Jade Close turned the tables for Australia, getting a pass from deep defence and driving past New Zealand keeper for Australia’s first goal.

   New Zealand gifted Australia their second goal as both Cathryn Finlayson and Alana Millington were suspended at the same time for five minutes and Casey Eastham exploited the 11 on 9 advantage to score.

   Mark Hager, New Zealand coach said: “The difference today was that we put away our chances by scoring three goals then we defended quite well for long periods, particularly when we were down to nine players which we have practiced at home.”   

Netherlands started spectacularly against Germany, scoring 20 seconds from the opening whistle when Carlijn Welten scored, with some help from the stick of Germany defender Julia Mueller.

   Veteran Germany striker Natascha Keller hit back minutes later taking a rebound off the pads of Netherlands keeper Joyce Sombroek to hammer a shot into the left of goal.

   Kim Lammers received a long pass out of defence in the midfield and ran unmarked to the circle to fire in a bullet goal inside the left post for Netherlands winner in the first half.

   Max Caldas, Netherlands coach, said: “We lost the initiative as Germany made it difficult for us with their man-on-man marking, rather than the zone marking we expected which made it difficult for us to add to the score.”   

Michael Behrmann, Germany coach, commented: “I was happy my team  could come back quite soon after the early goal and I could see we created some good chances in the second half but it was frustrating  that we could not gain a point today.”   

England earned their first tournament point, drawing 2-2 with South Korea after losing to world champions Argentina on Saturday.

   Beckie Herbert scored both England’s field goals and Kim Da-rae did the same for Korea.

   Danny Kerry, England coach, said: “In the second half both teams  went for the breakthrough win and overall we had a cracking game and I was particularly proud that we fought back from the 2-1 deficit.”   

Argentina also booked a semi-final place by beating China 4-1.

   Noel Barrionnuevo converted Argentina’s third penalty corner chance with a deflection off a defender but failed in three other attempts.

   Zhao Yudiao finished a brilliant penalty corner variation for China’s only goal for a 1-1 scoreline at the break.

   China’s defence crumbled in the second half, allowing field goals to Argentina’s Soledad Garcia, Delfina Marina and Daniela Sruoga.

   Carlos Retegui claimed the world’s top ranked team’s semi final place.

   “This was a really important game for us and it was a tough one and now we are able to say that we are in the semi finals and one of the top four teams in the world,” Retegui said.

   Kim Sang-ruyl, China coach, remarked: “Our defence is not strong  enough and they allowed Argentina to capitalize on our mistakes in the circle -but we can fix it,” Kim added with conviction.

   Monday is a rest day in the tournament with Tuesday Pool A matches pitting England against China and Argentina against South Korea.

   In pool B, Australia meets Germany and Netherlands play New Zealand on Tuesday.