Black Sticks Women Beat Las Leonas 4-1 with an Outstanding Performance

Katie Glynn and Aniwaka Roberts celebrate a goal in tonight’s match

The Black Sticks Women achieved the near impossible today, beating Argentina 4-1 on home soil in Rosario in their third test of the five test series. From the 21 times that the two teams have met in the last ten years, this is only the third time the Black Sticks have pulled off a win. “We are pretty satisfied with that performance. We started a little bit slow and were under the pump quite a bit early on, Bianca Russell [goalkeeper] kept us in the game in the first 10-15 minutes,” says Hager. “After that, we upped the tempo and … Continue reading →

Black Sticks Hold Las Leonas for Draw in 2nd Test, Had Lost 1st

Katie Glynn and Aniwaka Roberts celebrate a goal in tonight’s match

The Black Sticks Women are a much happier side after today’s 1-1 draw against world number two Argentina in their second test in Rosario. The Las Leonas won the first test by 4-1 yesterday. Katie Glynn on her 100th Cap After yesterday’s 4-1 opening loss, the Kiwis played a much tighter defensive game and showed more pressure in attack for longer periods. Stacey Michelsen captained the side and also scored the equaliser late in the first half. “It was a much improved and more disciplined performance, particularly our penalty corner defence. We still missed some chances that would have won … Continue reading →

Black Sticks Women to play five tests against Las Leonas in Argentina

Katie Glynn and Aniwaka Roberts celebrate a goal in tonight’s match

Black Sticks Women’s head coach Mark Hager says although his side had a convincing series win against India in December, they will need to lift their game when they play number two ranked Argentina in four weeks’ time. Hager has announced eight players from the London Olympics alongside nine others from the Indian series, with one final player to be announced once the squad has returned to training next week. “The more international experience we can give new players early on in an Olympic cycle, the better. Although we had wins against India, we need to significantly improve our performance … Continue reading →

Ireland Grab Golden Goal Winner to take Bronze at Champions Challenge

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Peter Caruth grabbed a dramatic golden goal in extra time to hand Andrew Meredith’s Green Machine a deserved Bronze Medal following a determined and battling performance at Champions Challenge 1 in Argentina. Ireland, not for the first time during this tournament were involved in yet another thrilling match as they squared off against Malaysia & former Coach Paul Revington for Bronze. The Green Machine started quickest out of the blocks on another warm evening in Quilmes and took the lead as early as the 3rd minute when the influential Michael Watt found Geoff McCabe on the edge of the circle … Continue reading →

Spirited Ireland fall to Hosts in Champions Challenge 1 Semi-Final

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Ireland’s Green Machine put in yet another spirited performance in hot conditions in Quilmes this evening as they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Argentina in the Champions Challenge 1 Semi-Final. The two sides had met 7 days ago in the opening Pool A game where Argentina had prevailed 4-3. As expected today’s encounter was to prove yet another close & tight affair. On the occasion of Timothy Cockram’s 150th Ireland Cap, Andrew Meredith’s side had to be at their best defensively from early in the game as Argentina created the most clear cut opportunities in the first half of play. … Continue reading →

Ireland fall to Japan in Hockey Champions Challenge 1

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The Green Machine suffered a second defeat in two days when they fell 3-0 to Japan in Champions Challenge  1 today in Quilmes, Argentina Ireland Coach, Andrew Meredith made two changes to his starting XI for today’s clash with Japan with Green Machine goal scorers from Saturday, John Jermyn & Timothy Cockram being replaced in the line-up by Eugene Magee and Michael Watt who also notched Ireland’s third goal at the death of yesterday’s 4-3 loss to Argentina. Ireland started the brighter of the two sides with Cargo & Cockram going close for Ireland in the early exchanges. However in … Continue reading →