Hockey: Full-strength Black Sticks have eye on series win

Ella Gunson. File photo / Northern Advocate

New Zealand 2
Japan 2

A draw for New Zealand in tonight's fifth test will be enough to win the series against Japan but the home side will be looking for better than they produced in coming back to draw last night's fourth test at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium.

The Black Sticks were given a dream start after forcing a penalty corner in the first minute and just as promptly going 1-0 ahead with a drag flick - hardly a great strike but effective nevertheless - from Ella Gunson.

That early success sparked some life from the New Zealand attack but despite continuing that initial domination, they rarely stretched the Japanese defence.

From their first raid into New Zealand territory, the visitors forced a penalty corner and followed that with another two in as many minutes but without breaching the well-organised defence with goalkeeper Bianca Russell equal to the task on the one occasion she was called into action.

Two minutes after kicking that 10th minute attempt clear, Russell was given no chance when Japan equalised.

A long ball was played deep into the New Zealand defensive circle and Shino Otsuka, unmarked at the far post, had the simplest of tap-ins for 1-1.

Play fell away with both teams giving up possession too easily with New Zealand, in particular, too often guilty of such indiscretions.

They did have the best chances of the spell however with hard-charging Anita Punt and Anna Thorpe providing good balls in to Katie Glynn but she had her first attempt cut out and fired a second high over the Japan goal.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges in the second half. Ten minutes into the half Japan won a disputed penalty corner and Akane Shibata dragged a weak attempt towards the New Zealand goal and watched in delight as the ball took a deflection and looped slowly over Russell into the unguarded goal.

Forced to play catch-up, the home side struggled to gain any ascendancy but eventually found their feet. Stacey Michelsen took a quick free hit, charged into circle. Her attempt was only half-cleared and Glynn was on hand to force home the 57th minute equaliser.

Sensing the chance to seal the series, the Black Sticks lifted the tempo and even when forced to play two minutes a player short after Gunson was green-carded, they took the initiative but without really testing the visitors as the clock ran down.

With the home side certain to be back at full strength - co-captain Kayla Sharland was missing last night and Charlotte Harrison was rested - they have the chance, back at the same stadium tonight, to clinch a second successive series following their clean sweep earlier this month against Korea.