Hockey women step up

Hockey women step up

The New Zealand women’s hockey team booked a place in the quarter-finals by securing a good 1-1 draw with the Netherlands today.

The New Zealanders fought hard against the Dutch, who are ranked No 1 in the world, but it seemed as if they would fall just short.

The Netherlands led 1-0 as the game went into its closing seconds.

Then New Zealand captain Kayla Whitelock scored a stunning goal to secure the draw.

New Zealand took one precious point from the match, enough to rise to second in their pool with a match to play.

Coach Mark Hager was pleased with how his team had responded to the challenge of playing such a quality side.

“It was an impressive result and will give the players plenty of confidence,” he said.

 “The first quarter was pretty even, but I thought we outplayed them in the second half.” He felt his team could easily have come away with the win.

Whitelock said it was good to get a reward for the decision to attack by bringing her into the forwards late in the game.

“It’s always nice when those moves come off and to get a point is absolutely key for us,” she said.

Maartje Paumen opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 28th minute with a pin-point drag flick from a penalty corner.

New Zealand lifted the intensity after the break and controlled much of the second half, creating some great scoring opportunities.

The equaliser came when Whitelock received a nice pass from Brooke Neal, pivoted and sent a cracking shot into the goal on the half volley.