Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Categories: Hockey - Hockeyroos

Hockeyroos fall to Kiwis in final

BLACK Sticks captain Kayla Sharland ignored a worrying knee injury to lead New Zealand to a 3-2 win over Australia in the Four Nations hockey final in Auckland yesterday.

The Australians had a chance to equalise in the dying minutes but the Black Sticks held on in front of a vocal home crowd.

Sharland scored after 11 minutes off a controversial penalty corner and went to the break 1-0 up before converting again early in the second half.

Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said the Black Sticks dictated play in the first before momentum changed after halftime.

"We really stepped it up in the second, they had limited chances and we were able to score twice off penalty corners," he said.

"Our younger players stepped it up and performed well but we still have a lot to work on."

Anna Flanagan and Jodie Schulz both scored off well-executed drag flicks.

Jade Warrender, Georgia Nanscawen, Emily Smith and Flanagan were the Hockeyroos best in a hard fought contest.

"Whilst we won the first three matches heading into this final, we need more consistency, we can't afford lapses in the way we play," Commens said.

In the bronze medal match, the United States beat India 1-0 in golden goal extra-time.

The Hockeyroos face New Zealand again in the first match of a second Four Nations event in Auckland tomorrow.

Story and pictures AAP

In the black: New Zealand celebrates a goal against the Hockeyroos in the Four Nations series, while Aussie Emily Smith curses a missed shot.

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