Hockey: Walton nabs winner as jubilant NZ nab top-six spot

8.30pm - By MARK GEENTY

From frustration and tears to scenes of unbridled joy, New Zealand celebrated a return to women's hockey's elite group with a thrilling 3-2 extra time Olympic win over Korea here today.

Four days after they cried on the pitch following a meek 0-2 loss to Japan, there were wild celebrations after Lisa Walton tapped in the golden goal winner with six minutes of extra time left.

After being ranked ninth in the world before the Games, the result booked New Zealand a coveted return to the top-six Champions Trophy tournament in Argentina in November, and a playoff for fifth here on Thursday (8pm start NZ time).

"It's a fantastic result, the girls dropped out of Champions Trophy in 2002, so the top-six is a phenomenal achievement already," said a jubilant coach Ian Rutledge, who carried Meredith Orr on to the field to join the celebrations.

"It's what counts in hockey, that's why they're so happy. It was a good win over a very good opposition."

There were several heroines for New Zealand, notably evergreen goalkeeper Helen Clarke, who pulled off two magnificent diving saves late in normal time when Korea mounted a late charge with the scores 2-2.

Korea had 21 shots on goal, five more than New Zealand, but Clarke, 33, who is retiring after the Games, repeatedly defied them.

"We were very determined that this was our game and we weren't going to give it up without a tough fight," Clarke said.

"I was pretty gutted they'd got those two quick goals, and I still have bad, bad memories of World Cup 1998 when we were 4-0 up and lost the game 4-5."

New Zealand started confidently, a far cry from their hesitant opening stanzas in three early losses in the tournament when they conceded seven goals and scored none.

Niniwa Roberts-Lang slammed in a penalty corner in the third minute after good lead-up work from one of New Zealand's standouts, Jaimee Provan.

Then captain Suzie Muirhead, after Provan stole possession in her own half, turned on a sixpence in the circle to rifle home a shot five minutes later.

Walton was the villain when she hit wide from point blank range with a 3-0 scoreline beckoning, then New Zealand were guilty of going to sleep early in the second half.

Two goals were conceded in the 45th and 46th minutes, one from a penalty corner, and New Zealand heads went down.

But the defence held to send the match into 15 minutes of extra time, and New Zealand came out transformed to do all the attacking.

Walton made two big runs into the circle, then finally the chance fell when Kayla Sharland juggled expertly and parried the ball to Walton, who finished it off.

"I was stoked that Ian left me on the field for extra time. I felt like I had to get out there and redeem myself, so why not do it in style," Walton said.

Rutledge had nearly lost patience with his attacking end after they couldn't convert 37 shots in the first three matches, and his advice was simple at fulltime today.

"I told them to play with purpose, don't be afraid about making mistakes and make decisions to win matches rather than being tentative," he said.

New Zealand will meet Australia in the playoff for fifth, after Australia beat Japan 3-1.

- NZPA