Hockey: Australia bounce back, avenge loss

Australia fought back to avenge a rare women's hockey loss to New Zealand and force the Oceania World Cup qualifying series to a decider with an emphatic 4-0 victory at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre tonight.

Stung after a 0-1 in Auckland last Sunday -- the Black Sticks first win over their trans-Tasman rivals since 2000 -- the world No 4 ranked Australians bounced back in style tonight.

Three rapid-fire goals after halftime was almost conclusive before Angie Skirving's drag-flick from a penalty corner completed the rout with three minutes remaining.

Australia virtually camped in New Zealand's territory before a two-goal burst between the 45th and 50th minute eventually rewarded the hosts' dominance.

New Zealand now need to win at the same venue on Saturday to qualify directly for the World Cup in Spain next September. Otherwise they will face a qualifying tournament in Italy next April, shortly after the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Had Australia been more clinical, the margin would have been greater.

They needed eight penalty corners before finally scoring from the set play when defender Emily Halliday swept a pass from Nicole Arrold past goalkeeper Anita Wawatai to register Australia's third goal in the 58th minute.

New Zealand were the first side to find the net though Lizzie Igasan's long-range shot but it was ruled out because it was hit from outside the circle.

That's eighth minute shot was New Zealand's best attempt on goal and such was Australia's territorial dominance, the Black Sticks could not force a penalty corner throughout the 70-minute contest.

In contrast, Australia were on attack as early as the third minute when Rebecca Sanders was denied by Wawatai after the ball was cleverly transferred back to the defender from a penalty corner.

Veteran defender Angie Skirving swept her penalty corner wide a minute later and then almost laid on the opening goal in the 12th minute when her long pass found an unmarked Karen Smith, who narrowly failed to connect by the right hand post.

Australia continued to mix up their penalty corner strategies though Arrold went close four minutes before halftime when she scooped over the bar with Wawatai at full stretch.

Australia maintained their dominance after the break with only Weaver's flailing stick sabotaging Nikki Hudson's goal-bound run in the 45th minute.

However, Australia would not be denied and a scrambling defence effort was undone a minute later when Hudson laid on a perfect pass for Madonna Blyth to force home the opener.

A Karen Smith goal doubled the margin five minutes later and then the Australian finally got their penalty corner strategies working smoothly.

Australia 4 (Madonna Blyth 46, Karen Smith 50, Emily Halliday 58, Angie Skirving 67)

New Zealand 0

Halftime 0-0.

Series level 1-1.

- NZPA