Dutch Women defeat New Zealand in
Amsterdam Practice Match
It was a great shock for women’s hockey team of New Zealand which lost a practice game in the hands of Holland that took place at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam on June 21, 2011.
Regardless of status of the match, it is an awakening call for the Black Sticks Women for the forthcoming 2011 Champions Trophy that is scheduled to be held from June 26 to July 23, 2011.
Mark Hager, the coach of the Blacks Sticks Women, was of the view that one should deliver best while playing a high-level game, adding it would be a stirring call for the team. The players constantly rotated their positions throughout the two halves, as
it was a practice match.
Though it was a practice match, the two squads started the game quite professionally. However, it was the host team of the Netherlands that started with an offensive style of play and accomplished a series of attacks against the Black Sticks. A very fast
and furious game was observed in the early minutes of the match when Dutch girls consecutively penetrated into the New Zealand’s goal.
The Black Sticks defenders though showed impressive performances, but failed to block every strike from the other side. In the third minute of the game, the Dutch side earned their first goal of the day and established their dominance onto field. In a matter
of three minutes, the host team earned the first short-corner of the game, but to no avail. The hit went over the crossbars and they missed a narrow chance to double the tally.
The Dutch strikers continued their fast and furious game in order to put opponent New Zealand under pressure. Sally Rutherford, the custodian of the Black Sticks, made a crucial dive in the 14th minute to put aside the ball. The first half of
play was completed with the home team sitting on top by a single goal, 1-0.
In the second half of play, Sally Rutherford was replaced with Amelia Gibson who was inducted into the team after Bianca Russell being dropped due to injury. In the second half of play, the Dutch women earned four short-corners, but failed to capitalise
anyone of it. Gibson was at her best and made crucial efforts to clear the ball in each try.
The strikers from the Netherlands maintained their dominance with the ball possession and expanded the lead in the later time. It obtained goals respectively in the 46th and 58th minutes of the match and took an insuperable lead into
the game. The New Zealand’s coach tested two injured players namely Kayla Sharland and Bianca Russell.
Ahead of the Champions Trophy, the Women hockey team of New Zealand will face Korea in the last practice match on June 23, 2011.
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