Match between New Zealand and Germany ends in a draw but Black stick win series: Women Recap
The draw in the third match helped women’s hockey team of New Zealand to win the series that took place in Berlin on June 13, 2011. However, the Blacks Sticks women faced a huge blow, as two of their legendary players, Kayla Sharland (striker) and
Bianca Russell (goal-keeper) received injuries in the game that affected the performance of the team.
Sharland, the co-skipper of the Black Sticks, marked the game-winning goal in the last match in which they defeated Germany after seven years by 4-3. She was forced off the field with a hamstring injury in the 40th minute of
the game. In the later time, the goalie received a calf-injury that further reduced the spirit of the players.
Mark Hager, the coach of the Black Sticks women squad, while speaking to the media said that everyone was improving her game with each match, adding that it was a courageous performance in the recent draw. He further stated that they conceded the goals
due to poor show in the 25-yard line area. The mid-fielders created plenty of chances for the strikers, but the Black Sticks' strikers failed to avail all the chances.
It was a brilliant show from New Zealand’s women who managed to draw the game after trailing by a single goal in the first half of play. Germany, the team holding the third place in the world ranking, struggled hard to score a goal, but failed to do
so.
The players from Germany started the game quite offensively and notched a couple of goals in the early minutes of the first half. They carried out back-to-back attacks and put Black Sticks under pressure in order to establish their lead in the game.
After conceding a couple of goals, the players from New Zealand revved up their performance and started attacking German goal-post. In the 26th minute of the game, Charlotte Harrison scored first goal of the game to bring the
Black Sticks into the score-net. With no goal, the remaining period concluded with Germany holding a solitary goal edge, 2-1.
After a tiny break between the two halves, the visiting team started more aggressive style of play. Despite several efforts, the two teams could not get a goal in the first seventeen minutes of the second half.
Ella Gunson converted a short-corner in the 62nd minute of the game and had it all even at two-all. However, the tie-up could not last for long and Germany regained a single goal advantage in the 68th minute
of the game. With seconds remaining on the clock, Harrison deflected the pass of Krystal Forgesson right into the goal-post and levelled the score at 3-3.
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