The Hockeyroos have drawn first blood and recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win against New Zealand in game one of the Oceania Cup at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre in Hobart.
The gutsy win came courtesy of a match winning performance by goalkeeper Rachel Lynch who made some phenomenal saves in the final stages of the match to give the Australians the win.
A facial injury to captain Madonna Blyth early in the second half put a sour note on the win but coach Adam Comens has said Blyth will be fit to play in the week-ends fixtures.
In an evenly poised first half, it was New Zealand who got on the scoreboard first.
The Hockeyroos built up momentum in the early stages of the first half to finish strong with multiple circle penetrations and penalty corners a result.
However it was through a penalty stroke to Anna Flanagan in the 25th minute that allowed the Hockeyroos to equalise.
It was Flanagan again who stepped up to give the Australians the lead right before half time through a powerful drag flick off a well-executed penalty corner in the 32nd minute.
After the break, Australia came out with purpose and intensity and we are able to get a lot of drive going forward and create several goal scoring chances.
However, just as the Hockeyroos looked as though they were comfortably in control a facial injury to Captain Madonna Blyth swung momentum back in the Blacksticks’ favour.
From this point, the New Zealanders’ dominated the match possessing the ball, driving forward with speed and creating multiple scoring opportunities.
Goalkeeper Rachel Lynch was forced to make several crucial saves as Charlotte Harrison continually supplied the ball into the Blacksticks circle.
Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said he was impressed with his young’s side’s fighting qualities in the second half and how their defensive unit dealt with the pressure that came their way.
“New Zealand are a quality side and one of the better teams in the world so to be able to get a victory against them is great”, Commens said.
“The turning point was when Madonna went off the pitch and to lose a player of her experience and calibre was a blow to the side.
“To our credit however we held on and hopefully we can build on this effort and really progress and assert our authority in the coming matches”.
Oceania Cup 2011, Hobart (AUS)
Fixtures and Results
Times are local
Thursday 6th October 2011
Men: New Zealand v Australia 3-0
Women: Australia v New Zealand 2-1
Friday 7th October 2011
Rest Day
Saturday 8th October 2011
Women: New Zealand v Australia - 1.00pm
Men: Australia v New Zealand - 3.00pm
Sunday 9th October 2011
Women - Australia v New Zealand - 1.00pm
Men - New Zealand v Australia - 3.30pm
All matches are being live streamed courtesy of the Hockey Australia website. For more information, please click here.
Source: Hockey Australia Media Release
The Hockeyroos have drawn first blood and recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win against New Zealand in game one of the Oceania Cup at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre in Hobart.
The gutsy win came courtesy of a match winning performance by goalkeeper Rachel Lynch who made some phenomenal saves in the final stages of the match to give the Australians the win.
A facial injury to captain Madonna Blyth early in the second half put a sour note on the win but coach Adam Comens has said Blyth will be fit to play in the week-ends fixtures.
In an evenly poised first half, it was New Zealand who got on the scoreboard first.
The Hockeyroos built up momentum in the early stages of the first half to finish strong with multiple circle penetrations and penalty corners a result.
However it was through a penalty stroke to Anna Flanagan in the 25th minute that allowed the Hockeyroos to equalise.
It was Flanagan again who stepped up to give the Australians the lead right before half time through a powerful drag flick off a well-executed penalty corner in the 32nd minute.
After the break, Australia came out with purpose and intensity and we are able to get a lot of drive going forward and create several goal scoring chances.
However, just as the Hockeyroos looked as though they were comfortably in control a facial injury to Captain Madonna Blyth swung momentum back in the Blacksticks’ favour.
From this point, the New Zealanders’ dominated the match possessing the ball, driving forward with speed and creating multiple scoring opportunities.
Goalkeeper Rachel Lynch was forced to make several crucial saves as Charlotte Harrison continually supplied the ball into the Blacksticks circle.
Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said he was impressed with his young’s side’s fighting qualities in the second half and how their defensive unit dealt with the pressure that came their way.
“New Zealand are a quality side and one of the better teams in the world so to be able to get a victory against them is great”, Commens said.
“The turning point was when Madonna went off the pitch and to lose a player of her experience and calibre was a blow to the side.
“To our credit however we held on and hopefully we can build on this effort and really progress and assert our authority in the coming matches”.
Oceania Cup 2011, Hobart (AUS) - Fixtures and Results
Times are local
Thursday 6th October 2011
Men: New Zealand v Australia 3-0
Women: Australia v New Zealand 2-1
Friday 7th October 2011
Rest Day
Saturday 8th October 2011
Women: New Zealand v Australia - 1.00pm
Men: Australia v New Zealand - 3.00pm
Sunday 9th October 2011
Women - Australia v New Zealand - 1.00pm
Men - New Zealand v Australia - 3.30pm
All matches are being live streamed courtesy of the Hockey Australia website. For more information, please click here.
Source: Hockey Australia Media Release
