Hockey: Scrappy win for Black Sticks

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Two goals in two minutes early in the second half earned the New Zealand women a 3-1 win over Russia and their first points at the World Cup in Perth last night.

It was a good, but not overly flattering, effort by the New Zealand team who bounced back from a first-up 1-0 loss to top seeds Argentina.

From the outset it was scrappy, with both teams giving up possession from misdirected passes.

Despite their possession advantage, the Black Sticks did not force their first penalty corner until the 15th minute when Jaimee Provan drew a foul from a Russian defender.

Piki Hamahona, one of the lesser experienced New Zealand players, but who had begun strongly, had her attempt from the penalty corner blocked.

That early pressure was rewarded in the 23rd minute.

Michelle Turner, who also began well, played in to the attacking circle. Suzie Pearce dived in to win the ball which rebounded to Hamahona, who hit home.

Both teams had half-chances in the latter stages of the first spell from short corners and open play, but failed to capitalise.

After both teams had early penalty corner opportunities in the second spell, New Zealand pounced - scoring twice in as many minutes.

Capitalising on some sloppy Russian defensive play, Pearce scored in the 46th minute when the goalkeeper failed to clear.

From the restart New Zealand won possession and quickly sent the ball deep.

Pearce and Carol Ward put their markers under pressure, the ball ran free and Amanda Christie was on hand to provide the finish from close range to put the match beyond the range of the Russians.

It should have been 4-0 two minutes later, but Pearce just failed to provide the finishing touch at the far post from a Lizzy Igasan pass.

Seemingly cruising to a comfortable victory, New Zealand were caught out in the 55th minute when Sandy Bennett was caught in possession.

The ball spilled free, Marina Chegudeva pounced and hit a first-time shot which gave goalkeeper Anne-Marie Irving - who had replaced Helen Clarke four minutes earlier - no chance.

While coach Jan Borren would take some satisfaction from the win he would not have been so pleased with his players' failure to score more goals after enjoying the greater share of possession and shots on goals.