Madison Mae Fitzpatrick of Australia and Katie Doar of the Black Sticks clash. Photo / Getty
Madison Mae Fitzpatrick of Australia and Katie Doar of the Black Sticks clash. Photo / Getty
The bad news for New Zealand sports fans - the Black Sticks women have slumped to a second straight Olympic hockey defeat.
The good news? At least it was close.
After starting their campaign with two wins, the Black Sticks lost 1-0 to Australia, a result that will disappoint theKiwi team, but by ensuring it was a tight game, they have kept their goal difference in a relatively healthy position to all but secure safe passage through to the quarter-finals.
Now, in their final game against China, comes the trickier part - securing a more favourable quarter-final opponent to enhance their chances of finally breaking through for a medal.
They'll hope to avoid Australia along the way after what was a rather professional effort from the group leaders, keeping possession well and preventing the Black Sticks from getting much ball into their circle, and the 1-0 victory was no more than they deserved.
Australia had four penalty corners but scored from none, with Grace O'Hanlon called on to make a few good stops, while the Black Sticks were unable to convert their sole PC opportunity.
After New Zealand managed to negate Australia in the first half – albeit not creating many chances themselves - Australia turned their pressure at the start of the third quarter into a goal with a smart finish on the angle from Emily Chalker.
With the Black Sticks attack failing to flatter, that was enough for a victory that sees Australia move to four wins from four with an impressive 11-1 goal difference, while New Zealand sit third, ahead of Spain on goal difference.
They are still well placed to make it out of the group, with China needing a five-goal win in the teams' final game at 12.30pm on Saturday to leapfrog the Kiwis.
A New Zealand victory over China would likely see them finish second in the group and earn an easier quarter-final, with second-placed Argentina having to take on the dominant Australians in their final group game.
A defeat, however, and it would likely be fourth place and a daunting quarter-final that awaits for the Black Sticks, with Spain favoured to at least get a point against the winless Japan in their final clash.
Pool B standings
Australia 12 points (+11 goal difference) Argentina 9 (+2) New Zealand 6 (+2) Spain 6 (-2) China 3 (-8) Japan 0 (-4)
