Hockey: NZ hold Argentina to draw

Emily Naylor of New Zealand clears the ball. Photo / Getty Images

Black Sticks 1
Argentina 1

New Zealand held world champions Argentina to a 1-1 draw in an international women's hockey match in Whangarei today.

But neither Black Sticks coach Mark Hager nor the team were satisfied, frustrated at coming so close yet being unable to secure the win.

Hager said his team needed to improve on the basics and secure possession for longer periods if they wanted to win the final two tests in North Harbour on Monday and Tuesday.

"Argentina will come out firing in the next couple of games, so we need to be prepared to better handle the ball under pressure and make decisions quickly to ensure we keep possession," Hager said.

The Black Sticks defence held strong early on and Kayla Sharland, Ella Gunson and Sam Harrison all attacked with confidence.

But it was a fast counterattack from an Argentinian penalty corner that got the crowd on their feet and a point on the board for the Black Sticks.

Midlands player Cathryn Finlayson made it look easy with a superb solo run, taking the ball to within metres of the Argentine goalkeeper Maria Aladro, lining up the shot and slotting it home in the 22nd minute.

Argentina were determined to get back in the game, but goalkeeper Bianca Russell produced a couple of good saves in goal and Clarissa Eshuis and Jan Burrows worked hard to turn over the ball and maintain possession.

The Black Sticks worked hard to defend their lead, but in the 56th minute 24-year-old Maria D'Elia scored from a clever penalty corner variation.

The scores remained locked for the rest of the game, Black Sticks co-captain Emily Naylor working tirelessly on defence to spark turnovers which remained unconverted at the other end.

- NZPA