New Zealand opened their women’s FIH Nations Cup campaign with a morale-boosting 5-4 win over South Korea in Chile yesterday.
The game was played in 33°C heat and was just a second clash between the nations in eight years, the Koreans having won the first.
After South Korea scored an early goal, the Black Sticks responded quickly with a remarkable diving deflection by Anna Willocks.
South Korea charged to a 3-1 lead in the second quarter with one goal from a penalty corner drag flick and the other a stroke.
However, New Zealand fought back, and Emma Rainey slipped a deflection past the goalie just before halftime to make it 3-2.
The Black Sticks came out firing in the third quarter with an unconverted penalty corner and a cracking reverse shot from Paige Blake saved by the goalie.
With five minutes remaining in the quarter, another stroke was awarded to South Korea, which they successfully converted to lead 4-2.
There was no sign of surrender from the Black Sticks, and Holly Pearson found a third goal with another tidy deflection from a penalty corner.
New Zealand equalised in the final quarter from a penalty corner with a brilliant drag flick by Riana Pho with just over five minutes to go.
South Korea appeared rattled, and when another penalty corner was awarded, Hannah Cotter appeared to have scored from a deflection, but it was scratched off as the ball did not leave the circle.
Finally, the Black Sticks were awarded a stroke, which Pearson fired low and into the net to seal victory.
The tournament serves as a gateway to elite international competition, the winner earning a coveted spot in the following season of the Pro League.
— APL
