The Hockeyroos have qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, despite going down to New Zealand in the Oceania Cup Final 1-0.
The first half was a free flowing affair, with each team having plenty of the ball and a number of attacking opportunities.
The Hockeyroos had a couple more chances on goal, making several circle penetrations and drawing two penalty corners which they were unable to convert. The Kiwis best opportunity to score came from a reverse stick shot from Krystal Forgesson which sailed to the right of Australian keeper Toni Cronk. Cronk was again in the action a few minutes later with a diving save.
The Australians started the second half with lots of attack, but failed to trouble the scorers, a number of penalty corners unable to be converted by the Hockeyroos.
In the 54th minute, the New Zealanders broke the deadlock, a turnover in mid-field costly for the Australians as their opponents ran the ball down the right flack, firing a cross from the baseline to the left post where Forgesson was able to send a deflection past the keeper to make the score 1-0.
Despite plenty of urgency from the Australians in the last minutes of the game, the Kiwis were able to hold on to their lead and take home the Oceania Cup.
Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray was disappointed with his team. "I thought we had a very poor first half. You're never going to win at this level unless you convert corners. We made it hard for ourselves, but we've only got ourselves to blame."
Despite the loss, the Hockeyroos have qualified for the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.
New Zealand 1 defeated Australia 0 (Halftime 0-0)
New Zealand - Krystal Forgesson 54m FG
Source: Hockey Australia
