Hockey: Black Sticks square series 1-1

Ella Gunson of New Zealand runs the ball forward . Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand bounced back from an opening defeat to level the five-match series with a 2-1 victory over Japan in the second women's hockey international at Hamilton today.

Stung by the 0-2 first test loss, New Zealand were a much improved outfit today. They kept possession for longer periods, created scoring opportunities from the opening whistle and showed more composure throughout the game, though coach Mark Hager was not entirely pleased.

After both teams had observed a minute's silence in front of a lowered Japan flag at the Gallagher Hockey Centre, to honour those victims from the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan last week, New Zealand set the pace in the opening spell.

Anita Punt sprinted down the right hand flank to set up their first goal in the sixth minute, Jan Burrows receiving a perfect pass from Punt before firing the ball into Katie Glynn, who saw a gap and slotted her first goal home for the series.

There were several scoring opportunities for both teams, but it was New Zealand's forwards who made the most of the turnover ball and Clarissa Eshuis doubled the lead from a penalty corner variation five minutes before the break.

Japan counter attacked well, creating their own opportunities to score, but it wasn't until the final seconds of the first half that a penalty corner was awarded and Yukari Yamamoto scored.

There was end to end action in the second half both teams were sturdy on defence, 19-year-old defender Danielle Jones impressing on debut for the home team.

The third test is at Hamilton tomorrow with the fourth and fifth matches at Auckland on Wednesday and Thursday.

New Zealand 2 (Katie Glynn, Clarissa Eshuis) Japan 1 (Yukari Yamamoto). Halftime: 2-1. Five match series level at 1-1

- NZPA