An emotionally charged Black Sticks kicked off their campaign by defeating Scotland 2-1 last night.
Anchored by Lizzie Igasan at the back and with speed and skill in attack, the New Zealand women's hockey team started strongly and maintained a tidy tempo against the Scots.
Wearing black arm bands in
support of team-mate Kayla Sharland, who learnt of a death in her family two nights before, the New Zealanders were in an uncompromising mood.
Honor Dillon provided the first goal scoring opportunity, driving into the circle in virtually the first attacking movement of the match.
A few minutes later, on a penalty corner attempt, Igasan whacked in the opening goal of the Black Sticks' campaign, deflecting the ball past a stranded Scottish goal keeper.
In a sometimes testy encounter, and in front of a crowd loaded with Australians keen to see the Kiwis tripped up, Scotland managed to frustrate the New Zealanders for long periods. The chances kept coming at regular intervals for the Black Sticks, with only dogged and sometimes desperate Scottish defence keeping them at bay.
Not that the Scots were bereft of attacking enterprise, with Samantha Judge and veteran Rhona Simpson the key playmakers early on.
Twice Scotland were unlucky not to equalise in the first 40 minutes of the game,when Igasan's robust defence was the saviour.
Midway through the second half, Sharland scored New Zealand's winning goal. But the Black Sticks were forced to dig deep to hold out for victory against a resurgent Scotland, after Judge scored a late goal.
Although happy with the win, the Black Sticks failed to capitalise on a variety of scoring chances and could have put Scotland to the sword with a more efficient conversion rate.
In other games Malaysia beat Nigeria 4-0 and Canada beat Barbados 4-0. The Black Sticks' next match is against Barbados today.
