Olympic Hockey: Australia, New Zealand share honours on Day 1 of Oceania Cup
Australia men and New Zealand women posted wins in the opening game of their three-match Oceania Cup finals to decide which one of them will get berths in 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Hockey competition for men and women. While Australian men raced to a comfortable 4-0 win over Black Sticks, the Kiwis had the consolation of winning the women's game defeating Australia 3-1. By sharing honors on Day 1, the pressure will build up further on both the teams to go all out in do or die games.
New Zealand was sitting pretty with a 3-0 lead against the Australian women till the 54th minute when Amy Lawton scored from a penalty corner to reduce the margin. Earlier, New Zealand also used penalty corners to assert its supremacy with the first two of three goals coming from the awards. Megan Hull was the first to score in the match with a beautiful penalty corner conversion in the 20th minute. Amy Robinson followed it up with another fine execution in the 42nd minute to make it 2-0.
And less than a minute later, Stacey Michelsen came out with a superb field goal to make the score 3-0 to the great joy of Kiwi fans. Though the Australians fought gamely but could not get past the solid defense and tight marking of their opponents. It was only in the 54th minute that a penalty corner conversion drew some consolation for them. Earlier, in the men's game. two goals in the first quarter - Tom Craig in the 5th minute and Tim Brand in the 12th minute - gave the Australians a commanding lead.
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Though the Aussies looked a better-organized side with well worked out concerted moves, the Kiwis were handicapped by the finish and missed chances. In the second half, Blake Gowers converted a penalty corner to make the score 3-0 in the 36th minute. Four minutes later Flynn Ogilive had a brilliant field goal to make the score and match safe for Australia. The second round will be held after a day's rest.
-PTC News
