Devine wish
Cup showdown: Goals could make difference in today’s decider
White Ferns skipper thrilled with today’s opportunities
The Silver Ferns are one step closer to claiming the Constellation Cup for the first time in nine years. But a come-from-behind 55-49 win over Australia in Christchurch yesterday still leaves plenty riding on the final game of the four-match series.
The Ferns lead the series 2-1, and have a goal difference of +2, but with the tiebreaker for a 2-2 tie being goal difference — and a dead-heat on goal difference going in favour of the holders — an Australian win by two goals or more will see the trophy remain across the Tasman.
Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio said she was pleased with her side’s comeback. With 13 minutes remaining, the Ferns drew level at 40-40, having trailed 29-24 at the main break. An 8-4 burst from the Ferns saw them edge ahead 46-44 with seven minutes to play.
“The game was exactly what we expected and we knew we had to stay with it and we couldn’t let them get away with it,” Ekenasio said.
“It seems that we continue to grow in our connections regardless of what’s happening on the scoreboard, and we felt it was coming, so we backed ourselves and relied on our game plan to work.”
It took a while for that game plan to be executed, with the Diamonds quickly establishing a decent lead.
Australia’s defence was on top form as the Ferns let slip a number of early opportunities to score.
The Ferns welcomed the return of their captain after the star shooter was sidelined with a calf injury for the second test on Wednesday.
Although not contributing as many shots as goal shoot Maia Wilson, Ekenasio was accurate and created space for her prolific teammate, who nailed 41 of 43 attempts.
At the other end, Diamonds shooter Cara Koenen continued to shine in her first international series — so much so, Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua switched her defensive line-up in the second quarter, calling on Karin Burger.
After defensive errors plagued them in the final minutes of the first half, the Ferns started to focus on executing their attack.
It worked well early in the third quarter as New Zealand chipped away at a five-goal deficit to level the match.
Kimiora Poi took her opportunity in the centre bib and led the midcourt with crucial energy.
After briefly levelling the scores, the Ferns yo-yoed in and out of contention, going into the final quarter down by two goals.
Confident shooting from Wilson boosted the Ferns into the lead with just eight minutes left on the clock, and experienced Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett, who had spent the game on the bench, was thrust on to the court in a bid to unsettle the Ferns defenders.
But the Ferns had already found an unbeatable rhythm and Australia could not stop the hosts extending their lead.
The Ferns’ 17-9 final-quarter advantage could prove pivotal if goal difference is required to decide the Cup.
The Ferns’ efforts to finally win the Cup will be backed by a full stadium of fans in Christchurch today, with a crowd allowed thanks to the lowering of alert levels this morning.
The final game gets under way at 3.15pm.
It seems that we continue to grow in our connections. Ferns skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio