Hockey: Black Sticks drag back two goals for draw

Anita Punt of the Black Sticks. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand's women scored two goals in the final quarter to secure a draw with Japan in their opening game of the Hawke's Bay Cup last night in Hastings.

After trailing 2-0 at the end of the third quarter, the Black Sticks have Rachel McCann and Pippa Hayward to thank for finding the back of the net.

"It wasn't looking too good there, until the last quarter, and then we put some pressure on and started converting our chances," said coach Mark Hager. "I think the No1 thing to focus on is our basics."

Hager said his side's game against Argentina wouldn't be any easier and that his game plan will be different to the pre-tournament tests in Gisborne.

The Black Sticks had their chances throughout last night's game and were awarded a series of penalty corners just before the halftime break, only for every attempt to end up on the keeper's pads.

Japan's game plan focused on very structured defensive lines, extremely quick counter-attack and skilful aerial passes to create great opportunities, allowing them to open the scoring through a penalty corner from Shihori Oikawa in the 24th minute.

And the visitors came out firing immediately after the halftime break, awarded two penalty corners in the first two minutes and seeing Hazuki Nagai score from a direct drag flick low to the keeper's right.

Things started to go New Zealand's way when McCann got a nice touch in the 50th minute to get her side on the board and, with two minutes to play, Hayward snatched a share of the spoils from a goalmouth scramble.

In earlier games, two of the tournament's more fancied teams United States and Australia drew 1-1. Argentina beat Korea 2-0 thanks to a couple of penalty corner goals, while China broke down a determined India defence to win 2-1.