New Zealand were unable to convert their dominance of possession into goals when they lost 0-1 to England at the Champions Challenge international women's hockey tournament in Azerbaijan today.
New Zealand had more of the possession during the game, but it was a clinical penalty corner scored by
Cathy Gilliat-Smith in the 11th minute which secured the points for England.
The match was a closely fought contest, with both teams defending impressively.
For England, Crista Cullen and Kate Walsh were both central figures throughout the game, and it was from a Walsh drag flick that England scored the game's only goal as Gilliat-Smith expertly deflected the ball past New Zealand goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit.
New Zealand, ranked No 8 in the world, went on the offensive in search of a goal, and would surely have scored just before halftime but for a wonderful diving tackle from Walsh on the dangerous Krystal Forgesson.
New Zealand began the second half as they finished the first, putting England, ranked No 11, under considerable pressure.
Their best chance of the half came when Caryn Paewai put the ball into the England goal, only for the umpire to rule the strike out as the ball hit her foot.
It was a disappointing start to the tournament for New Zealand, who play Azerbaijan tomorrow morning (NZT).
The winners of the six-nation event earn a place in the elite Champions Trophy.
Other results today saw China beat Azerbaijan 2-0 and Korea beat the United States by the same scoreline.
- NZPA
