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The Junior Black Sticks Women (Under-21s) have won their five-game series against the Korea U21 Women.
Saturday’s 2-2 draw at North Harbour Hockey Stadium was enough to clinch the series for the Junior Black Sticks who finished with two wins, two draws and one loss.
The Kiwis were first to score in game five with Canterbury’s Olivia Merry delivering the opening blow. Continue reading
The Junior Black Sticks Women (Under-21s) are resolute after being beaten 4-2 by the Korea U21 Women at Papatoetoe Sports Centre this afternoon.
After a level first half with one goal to each side, the Koreans edged away after the break and scored another three times to create a significant buffer.
Southern’s Phillipa Symes scored the home side’s opening goal with Erin Goad finding the back of the net with just minutes remaining in the match. Continue reading
The Black Sticks Men battled hard but were defeated 2-1 by Korea in the sixth and final test of the series in a wet weather clash at Papatoetoe Sports Centre tonight.
Black Stick Jacob Smith in action (Credits: photosport.co.nz)
After trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Kiwis drew level through a stunning Stephen Jenness goal but surrendered the lead again soon after and could not equalise.
The Blacks Sticks looked impressive for much of the game and played with solid structure defensively, however it didn’t translate into goals at the other end.
Head coach Colin Batch said there were areas of his side’s game that were pleasing but it was disappointing to come away with a loss. Continue reading
The Black Sticks Men have lost 1-0 against Korea at Papatoetoe Sports Centre tonight in a game full of speed and skill that was arguably their best game of hockey so far in the six-test series.
Black Sticks Hugo Inglis playing his 100th test match tonight against Korea at Papatoetoe (Credit photosport.co.nz)
“It was a good performance from us tonight and although it was frustrating to concede a goal early on, we were disciplined and played a good game of hockey. It is really pleasing that we are improving with every match, we just need to work on finishing off the opportunities that we create so we can get the goals on the scoreboard,” says head coach Colin Batch.
It was not the start New Zealand were hoping for, letting in an unfortunate soft goal in the first two minutes from Korean Nam Young Lee. A compelling attacking effort from the Koreans followed for the next 30 minutes and the Black Sticks held strong in defence to avoid conceding a second goal. Continue reading
The Junior Black Sticks Women (Under-21’s) have put on another strong display today winning 4-3 against Korea’s Under-21 side at Auckland Grammar Hockey Turf.
Junior Black Stick Michaela Curtis in action during today’s second test against Korea at Auckland Grammar Hockey Turf. (Credits: photosport.co.nz)
Coach Chris Leslie was pleased with today’s performance and says this series goes a long way in preparing players for the Junior World Cup in Germany in July.
“It was a step up from the first match [yesterday] and we certainly played with more intensity. We moved the ball on well and stretched the opposition on a number of occasions which was pleasing,” says Leslie. Continue reading
Korea have beaten the Black Sticks Men 2-1 in the fourth test at Pukekohe this afternoon despite an improved attacking effort from the Kiwis.
Black Sticks Phil Burrows in action in fourth test at Pukekohe against Korea (Credits: photosport.co.nz)
The Black Sticks worked hard in the second half to equalise, at times putting pressure on the Koreans, pushing forward and attacking with confidence. But the Koreans were clinical in their defensive effort, consistently turning over the ball in the circle and taking possession.
“Today’s performance was much better, we created more opportunities than in any other game so far – we created five or six very good chances. Even though it isn’t reflected on the scoreboard, it was by far our best performance of this series,” says head coach Colin Batch. Continue reading
