New Zealand moved to the top of pool B with a memorable 3-1 win over England at the Women’s World Cup yesterday.
The ninth-ranked Black Sticks produced a dominant display at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam.
Two goals to star midfielder Katie Doar and one to veteran Tarryn Davey, matched with staunch penalty corner defence, helped the Kiwis overcome the Tokyo bronze medallist.
They were also thankful for a superb performance by reserve goalkeeper Brooke Roberts, who came in for Grace O’Hanlon (back spasms/rest), and helped defend 16 penalty corners.
It was a tough start to the game for the Black Sticks as England won and converted a penalty corner in the third minute.
The English continued to apply the pressure and won further penalty corners which were denied by defender Frances Davies, one save resulting in a fast break that put Olivia Merry through on goal only to be denied by an outstanding effort from the England keeper.
England started the second quarter the stronger of the two sides, continuing to apply pressure and forcing penalty corners, but the Black Sticks started to find their footing.
Finally, Doar found herself in space to score her first international goal just before halftime to take the teams in level.
The second half started with some back-and-forth as the Black Sticks applied pressure but were unable to get into the attacking circle, and England won some more penalty corners but was continually denied by a resilient defence and goalkeeper.
Doar then created some more individual brilliance and doubled her international tally, sliding a backhand sweep under the England keeper to put the Black Sticks up 2-1 with 20 minutes to play.
The Black Sticks won their first penalty corner of the game with 10 minutes to spare and were able to convert after Tyler Lench pounced on a saved shot to serve it up to Davey on a platter.
England kept attacking and won a succession of penalty corners which, one after the other, were defended nicely by New Zealand, with Davies instrumental in removing the ball from the inner circle to stem the tide of corners.
The Black Sticks soaked up the pressure and dominated the final few minutes of the game to seal an emphatic win over the group favourite and put themselves firmly in contention for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Their final pool game is against India tomorrow morning (NZ time).
-- Staff Reporter
