Hockey: Shaw hat-trick books NZ games semifinal

MANCHESTER - The king of the penalty corner Hayden Shaw helped rescue New Zealand from a tricky spot and book a Commonwealth Games hockey semifinal here today.

Shaw's 64th minute strike to complete a hat-trick ensured New Zealand's 3-2 win over a plucky Canadian side, who gave the men in black a decent fright.

It was the imposing Canterbury defender's 11th goal in four games, all from set pieces, and it was much needed on a gloomy night at the Belle Vue Arena.

It earned New Zealand a semifinal on Friday against in-form pool three winners Pakistan, who rattled up eight goals and conceded none in pool play.

In today's other qualification final, South Africa sent home team England crashing out 1-0 to earn a semi against Australia.

There were anxious looks in the New Zealand camp at halftime after they put in an ordinary first 35 minutes and deservedly trailed 1-2.

They rarely threatened the Canada goal as the underdogs more than held their own and made their few scoring chances count.

On their first visit to New Zealand territory, with the game just six minutes old, they were in front when a regulation penalty corner was hammered into the left of Paul Woolford's goal by Canadian Wayne Fernandes.

New Zealand took 15 minutes to threaten Canada's goal and in a scuffle they earned a penalty corner which the dead-eye Shaw put away with ease to level the scores.

The New Zealanders didn't earn their first penalty corner until the 25 minute mark but it was unsuccessful, then minutes later Canada showed how it was done when giant defender Ravi Kahlan finished off another slick penalty corner.

Luckily New Zealand hit their straps early in the second half and with veteran Umesh Parag starting to make inroads they struck back to draw level again.

Once more it was the ever-reliable Shaw who did the honours after Parag drew the penalty corner, delaying his shot and lofting it past the Canadian defence.

The teams, who both had vocal support from a packed house, entered the last 10 minutes locked together as New Zealand were given a crucial chance when Canada's Mike Oliver was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle.

Parag had an open shot saved by 'keeper Mike Mahood as they went for all-out attack, then was unlucky not to earn a penalty corner minutes later. Wayne McIndoe also drew a fine save from Mahood before the inevitable penalty corner saw New Zealand home.

Canada fought until the end and even dropped off their 'keeper Mahood in the hope of pushing more players forward.

A delighted Shaw, still just 21, couldn't explain his rich run of form here where he is averaging nearly three goals per game.

"I don't know what's happening, the goals just keep coming, so hopefully I just keep on the wave," he said.

Coach Kevin Towns said he delivered "a rocket" at halftime with his team trailing a side they had beaten 5-2 and 4-0 in their previous two meetings.

"It seemed the players though the game was won before they got on the pitch. Canada snuck that early goal then we sat back and patted the ball around," Towns said.

"We had to address it at halftime and the game changed significantly, we stepped up on them, gave them no space and it put them under pressure."

Towns said Pakistan was their preferred semifinal opponent to the mighty Australia, even though New Zealand have never beaten them.

Men's Qualification Final:

South Africa 1 (Emile Smith) bt England 0. HT: 1-0

Mens Qualification Final:

New Zealand 3 (Hayden Shaw 3) bt Canada 2 (Wayne Fernandes, Ravi Kahlon). HT: 1-2

Women's Qualification Final:

India 4 (Jyoti Kullu (2), Pritam Siwach, Suman Bala Saini) bt South Africa 3 (Pietie Coetzee (2), Jennifer Wilson) (India win by Golden Goal). HT: 3-0 FT: 3-3

England 6 (Sarah Blanks, Helen Grant, Leisa King (3) bt Kate Walsh) Scotland 1 (Samantha Judge). HT: 2-0

- NZPA

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