BLACK STICKS WOMEN START WITH A WIN, MEN CONTINUE UNDEFEATED

New Zealand edged past Chile 1-0 as the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup began in Terrassa, Spain. It was a frustrating first half for New Zealand, with the Chileans creating more chances but ultimately unable to get anything to show for it.

In the third quarter, New Zealand punished the Las Diablas for the missed chances with Jessie Anderson scoring from their first penalty corner and Stephanie Dickins bagging the assist. The momentum swung as a result of that goal and the Vantage Black Sticks did well to hold on for the win. 

In Poland, after winning their first two matches, New Zealand couldn’t have asked for a better start against South Africa when Kane Russell found Hugo Inglis from way out. Inglis bettered his teammate’s sublime pass with a peach of a finish from the top of the circle to put them in front after 11 minutes. 

The second quarter saw South Africa win two penalty corners that were not converted, showing that the Black Sticks were not going to have it easy. Stopping any momentum change, it was New Zealand that doubled their advantage as Scott Boyde scored from an almost impossible angle two minutes after the half time break. The celebrations were short-lived as Matthew Guise-Brown and South Africa were third time lucky from a penalty corner two minutes later but the scores remained unchanged from there.