Hockey: Black Sticks down Australia

The Black Sticks Women have beaten Australia 3-2 in a typical trans-Tasman nail biting clash at the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam today, thanks to goals from Katie Glynn, Krystal Forgesson and Cathryn Finlayson.

The Black Sticks started with the same fury and gusto as they had in their first Champions Trophy game against Germany. On the attack from the get-go they rallied to score early on and this time converted their chances.

"It was a pleasing performance, we are here to see how we are tracking against the best teams in the world and we knew that if we played well today we could come away with a win," says Black Sticks Women's coach Mark Hager.

The first penalty corner of the game was awarded to Australia in the eighth minute but it was well blocked by goal keeper Toni Cronk. But the Black Sticks counter attacked, with Katie Glynn brilliantly dribbling the ball up to Cronk and in a one-on-one battle, Glynn got the space she needed and slammed it into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

It was a minute later that Australia were once again on the defence when Cathryn Finlayson sprinted down the right hand side, crossed to Glynn who then teed up the perfect shot for Krystal Forgesson who whacked it to the back of the net.

"As a team we wanted to take a step forward following yesterday's game, we knew we had to put the pressure on and get in behind the Aussies, and I think these two goals were definitely a result of that," says co-captain Kayla Sharland.

However, Australia gained momentum on attack and were awarded two penalty corners in quick succession, but Black Sticks goal keeper Bianca Russell had two superb saves.

With a minute left in the second half, Australia could have put one away when the ball was left in limbo in front of the goal. But the Black Sticks defence sprung on it and the Kiwis went into the half time break leading 2-0.

The second half had all the excitement you would expect for a typical trans-Tasman clash, keeping the 4,000 strong crowd on the edge of their seats.

The Black Sticks stretched their lead to 3-0 in the 44th minute when Charlotte Harrison did a stunning pass to Cathryn Finlayson who faced an open goal and tapped it in from three metres out.

Australian Kobie McGurk was then sent to the sideline after being shown a yellow card for a high pass above her shoulder, but came back on and won her side a penalty corner. Although the ball found the net, the goal was disallowed.

It was all eyes on the clock, when Alana Millington and Cathryn Finlayson were shown yellow cards and with a team of only nine players, Australian Casey Eastham took advantage and scored with six minutes of the game remaining.

Australia was threatening on attack in the final five minutes, but the Black Sticks held on and won the game.

The Black Sticks play their next game against The Netherlands at 3am on Wednesday 29 June. The game will be live on Sky Sport 3.

RESULT
Half time: 2-0 (Black Sticks lead)
Full time: 3-2 (Black Sticks win)
NZ Goal scorers: Katie Glynn, Krystal Forgesson, Cathryn Finlayson

- HERALD ONLINE