Hockey: Schoolgirl in debut to remember

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Karlie Maloney will not forget her international debut in a hurry after setting up room-mate Tara Drysdale for New Zealand's equaliser against China at the Champions Trophy yesterday.

Maloney, 18, a Rangitoto College seventh-former, sat out the Black Sticks' 6-0 thrashing by hosts Argentina on the opening day of the tournament in Rosario but was given her chance off the substitutes' bench yesterday against world No 4 China.

Within minutes of stepping on to the Jockey Club pitch, Maloney swooped on a ball which had not been cleared from a penalty corner, beat one challenge and pushed square to Drysdale, who had an easy tap in at the far post in the 28th minute.

China had taken the lead 19 minutes earlier when NZ gave away possession by hitting out of play.

The Chinese raced on to attack and swooped through a gaping New Zealand defence to allow Chen Quiqi to celebrate her 100th cap with a well-taken goal.

The Chinese dominated for much of the first half but some resolute New Zealand defensive work, led by goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit, kept them at bay.

In a late flurry, China forced three penalty corners before halftime but failed to convert. Minutes after Drysdale had grabbed the equaliser, Lizzy Igasan fired her attempt from a penalty corner just wide.

The Black Sticks were in it more in the second spell but lost some of their defensive steel when Igasan limped off 15 minutes from time with a recurrence of the knee injury which curtailed her National Hockey League appearances for North Harbour.

Coach Ian Rutledge fears the worst, accepting New Zealand's player of the year might not play again at the tournament.

"We have a day off and will have a look at it in 24 hours or so," Rutledge said. "She is definitely doubtful and at this stage we have to assume she will be unavailable [to play the Dutch tomorrow]."

Rutledge took some satisfaction from watching his team bounce back from the first-day drubbing.

"Sure, I'm a bit happier. Generally it was pretty good considering where we were 24 hours earlier," Rutledge said. "It was good to bounce back.

"We knew we needed to be more aggressive. Against Argentina I was disappointed with the hesitancy in our play. It was not easy against a team which played 15 of their 16 Olympians."

Rutledge was shocked when he learned of the Argentines' 2-0 loss to Germany in the last of the second-day matches.

"Even allowing that Germany are the Olympic champions, I thought Argentina were a cut above the other teams here."

After a scoreless first half the Germans scored in the 40th and 59th minutes to join the Netherlands as the only teams with maximum points.

In yesterday's early game, the Dutch beat Australia 2-1 to leave the Australians at the bottom of the points table following losses to Germany and the Netherlands.

In other games tomorrow China will play Germany and Australia will meet Argentina.