New Zealand overcome Argentina in finals of three match series – Women’s Hockey Update
At last the efforts of Mark Hager bore fruits, as the women’s hockey team of New Zealand defeated Argentina in the final contest of the three-match series on Tuesday at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium in New Zealand. With the win, the Black Sticks managed
to draw the event at 1-1.
After receiving a humiliating defeat, the Black Sticks’ women looked completely different on the field and displayed a mature offence and a dynamic defence. They edged past the world number one Argentina by 2-1.
It may be certain to mention here that Argentina, which is also famous as Las Leonas, thrashed the Black Sticks by five goals, 6-1 in the second test match of the series. However, the squad of Mark Hager roared back and managed a win in the final fight.
Owing to a stiff defence from the two sides, no goal was scored in the first half of play. Sally Rutherford, the custodian of the Black Sticks incredibly denied few strikes from the inverse side.
The Las Leonas were awarded the first short corner in the 15th minute of the game, but the defender Emily Naylor successfully blocked the ball. The women of New Zealand played confidently as compared to the previous game. The goalie of Argentina
stayed stiff on defence and brushed aside numerous strikes of Kayla Sharland.
An end to end play was observed until the first goal in the 58th minute of the game. Clarissa Eshuis earned a couple of short corners, in which she succeeded to covert one and hit the ball into the top of the posts. With the leading goal in the
game, the Black Stick started a comprehensive strategy onto the field.
As per the expectations, the Argentinean women counter-attacked and had it all even in the 64th minute of the contest. Daniela Sruoga connected on a penalty corner through a dribbling drag flick and made the score level at 1-1.
With the scores tied, the two teams adopted an aggressive stance and started struggling to mark a go-ahead goal. The women of New Zealand required a magical performance to level the series and luckily they succeeded to do so. With a minute left on the clock,
Cathryn Finlayson marked the game winner and sealed the victory for the Black Sticks. She managed to take the ball inside the circle and punched a sweep drive which moved perfectly into the posts. The Black Sticks not only win the game but succeeded to draw
the three-match series.
The Black Sticks are going to face seven of the best squads in the world in the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in June in Amsterdam.
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