A yr and at some point on from a 3-1 victory over Chile on the World Cup, the Vantage Black Sticks Males clinched one other 3-1 victory in opposition to the identical opponent within the opening match of their Olympic Qualification marketing campaign.
Regardless of the rating strains being the identical a yr aside, the efficiency from the lads in black was far superior, dominating virtually everything of the match and dictating the tempo.
The primary quarter set the tone for the Kiwis’ dominance, as Chile opted for a defensive technique, permitting New Zealand to manage possession.
After seven minutes of probing and looking for openings, Simon Yorston unleashed a exact go from the midway line. Joe Morrison, in his first match again from damage since that World Cup, redirected the ball in the direction of the aim, with Jake Smith, additionally getting back from damage after the World Cup, spectacularly placing it into the web to interrupt the impasse.
5 minutes later, the Black Sticks prolonged their lead with a superb play. Kane Russell’s highly effective supply into the circle discovered Scott Boyde, who confirmed his skill by swiping the ball into the aim, his first for New Zealand.
Getting into the second quarter, Chile aimed to shift the momentum, launching their first assault of the sport and showing to have scored. Nonetheless, their efforts have been thwarted as a aim was denied on account of the usage of the again of the stick.
The rest of the quarter noticed New Zealand creating quite a few alternatives, although Chile displayed a resilient defence.
Chile continued to keep up a stable defensive setup within the third quarter however struggled to generate attacking alternatives.
With a mere 20 seconds left within the quarter, Sean Findlay’s exact go from the highest of the D reached Aidan Sarikaya on the wing. Sarikaya’s well-executed cross discovered Sam Lane, who calmly slotted the ball previous the goalkeeper, widening the result in 3-0.
The ultimate quarter was extra subdued, with New Zealand dominating possession however dealing with a cussed Chilean defence. Regardless of the Black Sticks’ efforts in breaching the circle, Chile managed to stifle clear goal-scoring alternatives.
Within the dying moments, Chile secured a comfort aim, catching New Zealand off guard as Franco Beccera unleashed a strong reverse shot from the highest of the circle, capitalising on what the Black Sticks thought was a pause in play on account of a second ball on the pitch.
The match was additionally a notable milestone for 3 Black Sticks: Kane Russell, Hugo Inglis, and Blair Tarrant, having all grown up enjoying hockey collectively in Otago, mixed for his or her 700th worldwide look (Russell 200, Inglis and Tarrant 250).
The Black Sticks Males will subsequent face Germany of their second pool match tomorrow, Wednesday 1am NZT. With the Black Sticks Ladies pushing again half an hour earlier of their must-win conflict with the USA. Each video games shall be dwell and on-demand on TVNZ+.
