FIH Pro League returns
After a two week gap in their schedule both Vantage Black Sticks return to action in a Friday night double header at North Harbour Hockey Stadium.
First up is the Vantage Black Sticks Women who will be taking on the up and coming United States Women. Following 2 wins out of 3 at Ngå Puna Wai Sports Hub the Vantage Black Sticks Women will be looking for another strong performance in the hopes of securing their 3rdwin of the FIH Pro League.
After struggling in their opening matches of the FIH Pro League the United States Women put a more convincing performance together against the Australian Women last weekend before eventually succumbing 2-1. They will be looking to back this performance up against a New Zealand side that looks to be finding their feet as the competition progresses.
The Vantage Black Sticks Women put in to convincing performances down in Christchurch which saw them thoroughly outclass the highly ranked Great Britain Women before eventually coming through a tough match against the China Woman 2-0.
Look out for Vantage Black Sticks Midfielder Sam Charlton who has so far amassed an incredible 231 caps for her country and seems to be getting stronger as the competition progresses. Sam has been playing a great set up role for her team, however don’t be surprised if she manages to find herself open in the attacking circle and looks to slot home a goal.
Black Sticks Coach Sean Dancer has made 3 changes to the side that beat China in which sees Madison Doar make her Pro League debut and younger sister Katie Doar is set to make her debut at 17 years old for the Vantage Black Sticks Women.
Following this match the Vantage Black Sticks Women will have one day to recover before Argentina comes to town for the second match of the weekend which is on Sunday at 4:40pm. Argentina has had a week off since their last match where they narrowly fell 2-1 to the Netherlands and will be looking to get their Pro League campaign back on track.
Vantage Black Sticks Women vs United States. Friday 8thMarch at 5:10pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport
Vantage Black Sticks Women vs Argentina. Friday 10thMarch at 4:40pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport
|
Name |
Position |
Caps |
|
Sam Charlton |
Defender |
231 |
|
Tarryn Davey |
Midfielder |
42 |
|
Frances Davies |
Defender |
58 |
|
Madison Doar |
Striker |
30 |
|
Ella Gunson |
Defender |
201 |
|
Megan Hull |
Defender |
9 |
|
Rose Keddell |
Defender |
188 |
|
Olivia Merry |
Striker |
210 |
|
Stacey Michelsen © |
Midfielder |
265 |
|
Brooke Neal |
Defender |
158 |
|
Grace O’Hanlon |
Goalkeeper |
43 |
|
Kirsten Pearce |
Striker |
108 |
|
Sally Rutherford |
Goalkeeper |
174 |
|
Olivia Shannon |
Striker |
5 |
|
Kelsey Smith |
Midfielder |
91 |
|
Liz Thompson |
Defender |
178 |
|
Amy Robinson |
Striker |
61 |
|
Katie Doar |
Defender |
Debut |
The Vantage Black Sticks Men will be looking to put a tough couple of matches down in Christchurch behind them as they look to get their FIH Pro League campaign back on track this weekend against Spain. Despite an improved effort on the offensive end the Black Sticks have been struggling to keep the opposition offences at bay.
Spain has been the real surprise team of the Men’s draw as they shocked the World Number 1 side Belgium in the opening match of the FIH Pro League. They also beat the Netherlands side in what has been an impressive opening few rounds for the Spanish Men. Watch out for Enrique Gonzalez who caused a number of problems for the Black Sticks Men at the World Cup and will be looking to put them under pressure once more.
For the Vantage Black Sticks Stephen Jenness returns to the side having missed the previous match against Germany. Watch out if Jenness gets open in the circle as he has a powerful shot and is capable of causing nightmares for opposing defences.
Following on from the match on Friday against Spain the Vantage Black Sticks will turn their attention towards Argentina who have started to put together some impressive performances after their 4-3 win against the Netherlands the previous week.
Dominic Newman will line up for his 50thmatch against the Argentina side in what is sure to be a strong Argentina defence that will be looking to minimise his goal scoring opportunities.
Vantage Black Sticks Men vs Spain Men. Friday 8thMarch at 7:10pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport
|
Name |
Position |
Caps |
|
Richard Joyce |
Goalkeeper |
62 |
|
George Enersen |
Goalkeeper |
46 |
|
Shea McAleese |
Defender |
281 |
|
Nic Woods |
Midfielder |
101 |
|
Dane Lett |
Defender |
46 |
|
Cory Bennett |
Defender |
79 |
|
Arun Panchia © |
Defender |
264 |
|
Kane Russell |
Defender |
136 |
|
Harry Miskimmin |
Midfielder |
52 |
|
Nick Ross |
Midfielder |
102 |
|
Aidan Sarikaya |
Midfielder |
30 |
|
Marcus Child |
Midfielder |
145 |
|
Hayden Phillips |
Midfielder |
74 |
|
Mac Wilcox |
Striker |
23 |
|
Stephen Jenness |
Striker |
225 |
|
Dylan Thomas |
Striker |
11 |
|
Sam Lane |
Striker |
35 |
|
Jared Panchia |
Striker |
107 |
Vantage Black Sticks Men vs Argentina Men. Friday 10thMarch at 2:40pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport
|
Name |
Position |
Caps |
|
Richard Joyce |
Goalkeeper |
62 |
|
George Enersen |
Goalkeeper |
46 |
|
Shea McAleese |
Defender |
281 |
|
Nic Woods |
Midfielder |
101 |
|
Dane Lett |
Defender |
46 |
|
Cory Bennett |
Defender |
79 |
|
Arun Panchia © |
Defender |
264 |
|
Kane Russell |
Defender |
136 |
|
Dominic Newman |
Striker |
49 |
|
Nick Ross |
Midfielder |
102 |
|
Aidan Sarikaya |
Midfielder |
30 |
|
Marcus Child |
Midfielder |
145 |
|
David Brydon |
Defender |
46 |
|
Mac Wilcox |
Striker |
23 |
|
Stephen Jenness |
Striker |
225 |
|
Dylan Thomas |
Striker |
11 |
|
Sam Lane |
Striker |
35 |
|
George Muir |
Striker |
117 |
- March 7th, 2019 in
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