KAYLA SHARLAND & BLACK STICKS WOMENS HOCKEY TEAM 4. SOUTH AFRICA 1 – LONDON OLYMPICS 2012
New Zealand’s women’s hockey team remain unbeaten at the Olympic Games after beating South Africa 4-1.
A dominant first half performance gave the women’s Black Sticks a 3-0 lead at the break, and they did enough to maintain the margin during the second half.
The victory followed a 1-0 win over Australia two days ago and maintains their 100 per cent record.
As they did against Australia two days ago, the Black Sticks were on the board very early.
New Zealand took the lead with a cleverly-worked penalty corner in the second minute, Charlotte Harrison deflecting in a pass from Kayla Sharland from close range.
The Black Sticks continued to bombard the South African goal, forcing several penalty corners, and were rewarded midway through the half when Clarissa Eshuis slammed home a penalty corner past South Africa keeper Mariette Rix.
They went three up with six minutes remaining in the first half after a Sharland strike close to the circle line, allowed to stand after a video review.
South Africa came out much stronger in the second half and scored from a penalty stroke 19 minutes from time, Pietie Coetzee just beating New Zealand keeper Bianca Russell.
But New Zealand restored their three-goal advantage with a vicious Sharland reverse-stick shot with nine minutes remaining
The Black Sticks need to be one of the two best teams in their group of six to qualify for the semi-finals.
They next face world No.1 Argentina on Thursday.”
Far out. That’s Shazzatastic!
NZN – Photos – TV3 & TVNZ.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 1.8.12~
