New Zealand snared their first points at the women's hockey
World Cup today when fighting back to draw 2-2 with Japan at
Rosario, Argentina.
While showing character to recover from a 0-2 deficit early
in the second half with two goals in the space of one minute,
the New Zealanders were left to rue their inability to
convert from the set piece.
They forced seven penalty corners in the match and scored
from none of them, while Japan did not force the first of
their two penalty corners until two minutes from fulltime.
Coming off losses to Germany and the Netherlands, New Zealand
dominated the first half but were unable to find the net.
Their attacking third play was blunted by a tenacious
Japanese defence, led by impressive goalkeeper Sakiyo Asano,
who repeatedly blocked or deflected New Zealand's shots on
goal.
Changing ends at 0-0, Japan broke the deadlock 12 minutes
into the second half when Kaori Chiba deflected a cross from
Ai Murakami over the outstretched hand of New Zealand
goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit.
They then doubled their lead 7min later when Mie Nakashima
produced a razor sharp deflection to again beat Jurgeleit.
New Zealand's fate seemed sealed at this point but they
stayed in the contest when Krystal Forgesson goaled from a
cross delivered by Gemma Flynn 14min before fulltime.
They levelled the scores 1min later when Anita Punt produced
a strong run before finding captain Kayla Sharland in front
of the goalmouth where she clinically completed the job.
New Zealand's next pool match is against Australia on Monday
morning (NZT).
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