Japan national team defeat Black Stick development squad in the opening match, 4-2: Hockey News
New Zealand’s women development team was defeated yesterday by the Japanese national team, May 24 by 2-4 in the first match of their Japan tour. This five-Test series is being played against the Japanese outfit at the Gifu Green Stadium, Japan and will conclude
on May 29.
During the first half of the match, the host team displayed their finest abilities and dominated the half-play with ball possession and an offensive approach in the opening match against the Black Sticks.
Japan, the number ninth ranked team amazingly overpowered the Black Sticks, resting two-seeds above in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) world ranking. The first half concluded with Japan leading by 3-1.
Japan opened the first half with an early goal which was as a result of a penalty corner. The Black Sticks soon managed to earn an equaliser when Anna Thorpe delivered a goal in the 18th minute, levelling the scores at 1-1.
The Japanese women were later found racing across the Kiwi’s midfield and succeeded in making two more additions to the score-board before half-time, advancing their lead to 3-1.
During the second half, an improved Kiwi side came up on the field with a better strategy and execution.
Black Sticks’ Carli Michelsen came up with an early goal that was scored as a result of a penalty corner awarded to the team, reducing the Japanese lead to 3-2. However, ten minutes later, Japan answered back with another goal, taking back their two-goal
lead by 4-2.
In spite of the commendable performance of the New Zealand’s side in the second half, they failed to win the first Test. However, the development squad’s head coach Chris Leslie was pleased with their performance and commented, “Our performance in the second
half was much improved. Although at times we panicked on defence, there were phases of play which were really good and individuals put in a strong effort with the team showing real potential.”
Putting spotlight over the development squad, Black Sticks’ goal-keeper, Amelia Gibson, gave a fine performance during the match following Krystal Forgesson, who played remarkably during the game.
The coach had one a fine job in switching and rotating all the 18 players, except for the goal-keeper, during the match in order to get a glance as to how each individual contributed to the game.
The next matches are scheduled to be played on May 26, 28, 29 and 31 at the same venue in Gifu, Japan as part of the development tour of the Black Stick women.
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