Black Sticks one win from glory
IT’S amazing how quickly things can change.
Four days ago, the Black Sticks women had finished pool play at the Hockey World League final without a win to their name, and were facing a daunting quarterfinal against Argentina, who they weren’t expected to beat.
But they did, 2-1, and on Friday they won again, 1-0 over England, and now they are in the decider, on Sunday night, against either the Netherlands or South Korea, who play late on Saturday.
In front of their home fans, at North Harbour Hockey Stadium in Auckland, they have a chance to emulate what Argentina did at this event two years ago, when they were the hosts.
They too finished last in pool play, but turned it on once it became a case of do or die, eventually beating the Black Sticks in the final.
Whether it’s the Dutch, who are ranked No 1 in the world, or South Korea, that they play on Sunday, the Black Sticks will have their work cut out.
But after the remarkable turnaround of the past four days, you can’t say they don’t have a chance.
Captain Stacey Michelsen acknowledged after the semifinal win that they had had a rocky start, but said it was pleasing that they had turned up in the important games.
‘‘We all believed that we could make the final, but there were certainly a lot of signs at the start of the week to suggest that we wouldn’t, so there was certainly a bit of relief amongst the excitement and happiness.’’
After emptying the tank to beat Argentina on Wednesday - they went behind after two minutes, but came back with two goals early in the second half - it was impressive that the Black Sticks were so assured from the start against England on Friday.
‘‘That’s something that we talked about over the last couple of days,’’ said Michelsen, who was an influential figure in midfield.
‘‘That it was a really awesome performance against Argentina, but we couldn’t sit back and rest on that.
‘‘We had to come out today and play the exact same way as we did.
‘‘I think it’s really pleasing that we did that and that we didn’t just rest on our laurels and think it was going to happen.’’
The Black Sticks were in control for most of the semifinal, but didn’t fashion many clear-cut chances, and they did feel the pressure building as the score remained 0-0 late on, said Michelsen.
‘‘The important thing for us was we didn’t panic, and we all sort of kept saying to each other, just keep doing what we’re doing.
‘‘We didn’t need to change the tactics because we did have a lot of sustained pressure on their defence, and it’s really pleasing that we were able to stay with our ALISHA LOVRICH/PHOTOSPORT game plan, and that it worked in the end.’’
Olivia Merry’s winning goal, from a penalty corner with five minutes to play, means the Black Sticks can now look forward to Sunday night, and a shot at silverware in front of a home crowd.
‘‘It’s something that we’ve never had before [at a major tournament], and it does definitely lift you, particularly in those dying minutes - it just gives you an extra boost,’’ said Michelsen.
‘‘I think everyone’s really excited for that game.’’