Hockey: Black Sticks all fired up to wallop Aussies

BY TERRY MADDAFORD


Victory over arch-rivals Australia early tomorrow will guarantee New Zealand their highest finish at a Champions Trophy and a place in next year's tournament.

"I would be very disappointed if we lost after what I have seen today," Black Sticks' captain Di Weavers said after her team held Olympic champions Germany to a 2-2 draw.

"We are a better side when we play well as we showed today. I'm sure if we can back up with another performance like that, we can win."

Against Germany, New Zealand twice took the lead but gave up a goal immediately after halftime and another as rookie Karlie Maloney spent 11 minutes in the sin bin after a none-too-subtle altercation with Fanny Rinne.

Meredith Orr opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when she pounced on a loose ball after New Zealand won a free hit on the edge of the circle.

A minute into the second spell the Germans hit back with a stunning reverse stick shot from Natascha Keller, who caught the New Zealand defence flat-footed.

The Black Sticks regained the lead four minutes later when Lizzy Igasan followed up to deftly push home when the defence failed to clear a penalty corner.

Twenty minutes from time the game was tied when Tina Schultze deflected a free hit away from goalkeeper Anita Wawatai and into the goal.

"Our strikers and midfield did extremely well," Weavers said. "Our decision-making was a lot better. We were able to hold the ball in midfield and up front, which meant we didn't expend too much energy chasing all over the place."

German coach Markus Weise paid the gallant New Zealanders a compliment after they took the first points off his fifth-ranked side.

"Germany was very tired. New Zealand played more intelligently," Weise said. "We were lucky to draw."

With today's last round-robin games to play, New Zealand are fifth. Victory over Australia - a team they have not beaten (or even drawn with) since 2000 - would take them into a guaranteed fourth place.

If they lose and China, who lost 1-0 to Australia yesterday, do not beat Argentina in the last game, New Zealand would play off for fifth with the winner going through to next year's tournament.

The last-placed team, provided it is not Australia, who will host next year's tournament, will be replaced by Korea.