Argentina blitz Black Sticks
Argentina went on a final quarter goal scoring blitz to beat the Black Sticks women in the FIH Pro League hockey in Rosario yesterday.
Entering the final quarter tied at 1-1, Argentina scored two wellconstructed goals to secure a 3-1 win, while the New Zealand men also went down 4-3 at the same venue.
New Zealand’s women struggled to connect throughout the match as the long passes they continued to try were constantly being picked off by the Argentina defence. Goal scorer Stacey Michelsen said the Argentine strikers got too much space.
"It was a tough game; we started really well and had some good early chances. Argentina built into the match and finished the game strongly. We gave their strikers too much space and they managed to capitalise on that."
New Zealand began confidently as they looked to stretch the Argentinian defence. As the quarter wore on Grace O’hanlon was called upon to make some important saves, while being supported by outstanding cover defence.
New Zealand’s first real scoring opportunity came when off a penalty corner Olivia Merry swept the ball agonisingly past Michelsen’s stick, not into the back of the goal.
The Black Sticks scored the opening goal in the 26th minute when Michelsen found herself on the end of a loose ball after a charged down first shot.
Michelsen flicked the ball into the back of the net, past the desperate dive of Belen Succi in goal.
Argentina struck back late in the half after a terrific reverse stick shot rocketed home past New Zealand goalkeeper Brooke Roberts, who had replaced O’hanlon.
In the final moments of the third quarter Argentina got a oneon-one against O’hanlon to score. Julieta Jankunas then powered a stunning shot into the top of the net to put Argentina up 2-1.
Moments later Argentina extended their lead when Eugenia Trinchinetti caught O’hanlon off guard and swept the ball into the far corner of the goal.
New Zealand return home to prepare for their Anzac Day match on April 25 at North Harbour, when they will take on Australia in their final home match of the league.
Meanwhile the New Zealand men are still chasing their first Pro League victory of the season after a 4-3 defeat to Argentina.
The Black Sticks never recovered from a three-goal opening period from their hosts.
Despite a Sam Lane first half double New Zealand trailed 4-2 at halftime, and a George Muir goal narrowed the gap to one before they ran out of time. Somewhere in regional Victoria, Brae Sokolski reckons, disqualified Melbourne trainer Darren Weir would have been punching the air.
In the middle of a heaving media pack, Chris Waller gave him a nod too.
As much as this was Waller’s 99th Group 1 win, it was hard to escape Weir even when he was 1000km away.
He had fingerprints all over the milestone victory which had the country’s other biggest trainer – at least until a few months ago – on the cusp of a Group 1 milestone few have managed to achieve and which he would reach just 40 minutes later with the incomparable Winx.
‘‘Weiry’s going to be in his place at Maldon smiling and cheering her on,’’ part-owner Sokolski said after Verry Elleegant roared to victory in the $1 million Australian Oaks. ‘‘He’s as much a part of this story as Waller.’’
Which makes it a hard one to sell to those both inside and outside the racing bubble: A man whose training empire crumbled just a few months ago for being caught in possession of electric shock devices getting credit and who received a four year disqualification.