New Zealand beat Australia 3-2 for their first women’s Champions Trophy field hockey win over their trans-Tasman neighbor and moved to second place in Pool B on Sunday.
In the other Pool B derby, the Netherlands defeated Germany 2-1 to secure a semi-final place.
In Pool A, Argentina took care of China 4-1 and England drew 2-2 with South Korea.
Photo: Reuters
New Zealand have only beaten Australia 10 times in 85 all-time matches between them since 1935.
“We saw today that New Zealand are quite a dangerous team, able to score easily if we give them enough space, while our style of hockey relies on creating a lot of chances and converting them,” Australia coach Adam Commens said.
Katie Glynn and Krystal Forgesson tore Australia’s defense to pieces, scoring field goals a minute apart early in the first half.
New Zealand went 3-0 ahead early in the second half through Cathryn Finlayson’s slap in of Charlotte Harrison’s cross and Australia looked in big trouble.
Jade Close turned the tables for Australia, getting a pass from deep defense and driving past the New Zealand keeper for Australia’s first goal.
New Zealand gifted Australia their second goal, as both Cathryn Finlayson and Alana Millington were suspended at the same time for five minutes and Casey Eastham exploited the 11 on 9 advantage to score.
“The difference today was that we put away our chances by scoring three goals then we defended quite well for long periods, particularly when we were down to nine players, which we have practiced at home,” New Zealand coach Mark Hager said.
The Netherlands started spectacularly against Germany when Carlijn Welten scored 20 seconds from the opening whistle with some help from the stick of Germany defender Julia Mueller.
Veteran Germany striker Natascha Keller hit back minutes later, taking a rebound off the pads of Netherlands keeper Joyce Sombroek to hammer a shot into the left of the goal.
Kim Lammers received a long pass out of defense in the midfield and ran unmarked to the circle to fire in a bullet goal inside the left post for the Netherlands’ winner in the first half.
England earned their first tournament point, drawing 2-2 with South Korea after losing to world champions Argentina on Saturday.
Beckie Herbert scored both England’s field goals and Kim Da-rae did the same for South Korea.
“In the second half, both teams went for the breakthrough win and overall we had a cracking game, and I was particularly proud that we fought back from the 2-1 deficit.” England coach Danny Kerry said.
Argentina also booked a semi-final place by beating China 4-1. Noel Barrionnuevo converted Argentina’s third penalty corner chance with a deflection off a defender, but failed in three other attempts. Zhao Yudiao finished a brilliant penalty corner variation for China’s only goal for a 1-1 scoreline at the break.
China’s defense crumbled in the second half, allowing field goals to Argentina’s Soledad Garcia, Delfina Marina and Daniela Sruoga. Carlos Retegui claimed the world’s top ranked team’s semi-final place.
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