Black Sticks Women’s Coach delighted to qualify into the semi-finals
Black Sticks’ women’s hockey coach, Mark Hager, is quite satisfied with the performance of his squad in the ongoing 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy that is underway at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
It is vital to mention here that the women’s hockey team of New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. Apart from the Black Sticks, Argentina, Korea and the host Netherlands are other semi-finalists.
However, the Black Sticks' trainer, Mark Hager, is quite optimistic about the worth of the team, regarding winning a maiden medal in the eight-nation tournament. Talking to the media persons, Hager was of the opinion that they were quite pleased over the Black Sticks' qualification into the semi-final round.
He stated, “It is pleasing to be in the top four and playing in the semi-finals.” The trainer further said that they would have to work hard to go into the right way. He added by saying, “We know we still have a long way to go but we seem to be tracking in the right direction.”
Kayla Marie Sharland, the veteran striker from the Black Sticks, was of the view that they were outstanding on defence, but not the offence. She spoke to the media soon after making a draw against the host team. She stated, "It wasn't the best hockey we have played in this tournament but defensively we scrambled well. The girls are very happy. This is another step forward. It is very exciting to be in the top four.”
The Black Sticks Women though were defeated by Germany in the opening game, but they revved them up and edged past Australia by a single goal, 3-2. The match between Netherlands and New Zealand ended at a 0-0 draw that helped them to get into the top four teams of the tournament.
In quite an unlucky way, the women’s hockey team of New Zealand earned only four short-corners in the last three appearances. However, they failed to convert anyone of them into successful score.
They are one of the low-scoring squads in the eight-nation competition. The host team availed only one chance out of total 12 received in the last three fixtures.
It is vital to explain here that the Black Sticks Women marked only two goals in the three games which is very low conversion rate in the Champions Trophy.
Apart from the low scoring, the Black Sticks showed wonderful show-off after losing the opening game in the hands of Germany.
It has been the best performance by the Black Sticks, since Mark Hager was appointed as a coach of the New Zealand’s Women team. In the upcoming fixtures, the Black Sticks women will meet Korea and Argentina to book a place into the title-claiming fixture.
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