Japan’s National Women’s Hockey team beat Black Sticks Development Team, 4-2: Hockey Recap
It seemed just the replica of the first match as the Japanese beat the Black Sticks Women’s Development team by 4-2 in the second match of the five Test match series, which is in progress at the Gifu Green Stadium in Kakamigahara.
Despite of brilliant individual performances by some promising players, the Black Sticks Women’s Development team is still to open its victory account against Japan’s National Women’s hockey side.
The first half of the match was full of action and thrill, as both of the team played some incredible and attacking hockey but it was Japan’s national side that first broke the shatters in the 6th minute by the help of a penalty
corner. It was not more than four minutes after the first goal when Japanese created another opportunity once again in the shape of a penalty corner and had no difficulty to make their lead double in 10th minute.
In the interim, the Black Sticks Women’s Development team too played wonderful hockey with Anna Wetherall, Jan Burrows, Krystal Forgesson, Jasmin McQuinn and Kelsey Dunn were the stunning performers for their team. In first 12 minutes of the first
half, the New Zealanders seemed at their best with five shots at target, but unluckily those remained as shots not as goals. However in the 30thminute Black Sticks Women finally succeeded to open their score-book with the help of a penalty corner.
Kelsey Dunn took the drag flick and luckily deflected towards Jan Burrows who made no mistake in putting it in the net. The score, at the end of first half, was 2-1 in favour of Japan.
The second half remained intensified as the hostility between the two teams increased. The second goal for New Zealanders came in the 42nd minute, but this time it was Anna Wetherall who picked the ball from Krystal Forgesson
at the centre line and showed a wonderful stick work in guiding toward the goal-post. It was the most stunning and probably the best goal of the match. On the other hand Japanese continued their aggressive play and scored two goals in quick succession with
the final goal of the match coming in the 55th minute. At the end of the match it was Japan with 4-2.
The third match of the series will be played on Saturday, May 28 at the same venue.
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