Black Sticks lift first ever bronze medal in 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy
Charlotte Harrison scored the game-winning goal in the dying seconds, as the women’s hockey team of New Zealand powered a 3-2 win over Korea in the 3rdplace play-off game to lift the first ever bronze medal of the 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy.
The cliff-hanging play-off game was played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Holland on July 03.
Mark Hager, the trainer in a delighting state of mind, said, “Whenever we looked at the statistics it always says that New Zealand has never won a medal at a Champions Trophy, so it is nice to change it.”
The Black Sticks and Korea commenced the game sensibly and did not commit mistakes in the early minutes. Both squads did not make penetrations against either side until the midway of the first half. They tested the defence strategies of each other.
In the 15th minute of the match, the Black Sticks women earned a short-corner. Katie Glynn, the seasoned striker, took the opportunity and converted the penalty-corner into a successful goal through a reverse flicking shot. In a matter of less
than one minute, Krystal Forgesson doubled the tally though a field effort. She managed to get the ball inside the D-Line, executed a fined low-flying shot from the close range, and increased the lead up to two goals, 2-0.
After conceding a pair of goals, the Korean line-up started playing offensively in a hunt for equalisation. Following a well-coordinated and fast game, Korea obtained a penalty-corner. However, they failed to avail the chance effectively. Sally Rutherford
was enough energetic to deny the attack of Cho Eun Ji. Despite the fast game, both the teams could not make an addition on the scoreboard and first period ended with New Zealand leading the results at 2-0.
With seven minutes into the period, Korea succeeded to decline the lead. Kim Jong Eun made an effort, but her shot was blocked by Emily Naylor. In a rebound attempt, Jong Eun played a classical shot to send the reverse flicking shot into the goal and reduced
the edge down to a single goal, 2-1. Rutherford failed to judge the ball that passed through under her legs.
The reduction in the lead boosted the Koreans and they started to and fro attacks against Black Sticks. Though the defending women of the Blacks Sticks denied many efforts from Korean strikers, they failed to hold back their lead. Jong Eun converted a short-corner
in the 56th minute of the match and had it all even at two-all.
After the tie-up, a hard and fast game was played from the duo sides, but both the teams could not get a leading goal until the final minute. With seconds left on the clock, Harrison scored a goal and fulfilled the dream of Mark Hager to lift first ever
medal of the Champions Trophy.
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