Saturday 14 October | The Hockeyroos have claimed a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over New Zealand ahead of Sunday’s Oceania Cup Final where they’ll face the Black Sticks again.
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Maddy Fitzpatrick and Brooke Peris were the goal scorers for Australia in a dominant first-half, before Olivia Merry scored for NZ in the 53rd minute to ensure a tense finale.
The win is Australia’s second against New Zealand in seven matches since the Black Sticks knocked the Hockeyroos out of last year’s Rio Olympics.
The two sides will meet again at Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre in Sunday’s decider from 3pm.
Opening goal scorer Fitzpatrick said: “It feels really good especially against New Zealand.
“They’ve got us a few times in the last year so it was really good to get the win.”
Madi Ratcliffe had two early chances, before New Zealand threatened through Rachel McCann but goalkeeper Rachael Lynch thwarted the danger.
The opening goal came on 12 minutes when Fitzpatrick drag flicked into the backboard from a penalty corner.
Australia doubled their lead on 22 minutes when Emily Smith deflected Stephanie Kershaw’s drive into Peris’ path, with the striker brilliantly powering her shot home.
The Black Sticks rallied after the main interval with captain Stacey Michelsen spurning two good opportunities, before Grace Stewart’s good work set up Fitzpatrick for another penalty corner effort which was well saved.
New Zealand pulled one back when Merry scored from close range after Shiloh Gloyn’s cutback on 53 minutes.
McCann missed a golden opportunity in the dying minutes with an open goal at her mercy while Gloyn shot wide as the Hockeyroos held on.
Fitzpatrick added: “I think it was a really good hit-out. They came out pretty solid in the first half.
“We put in a really good performance on the pitch, second half we got a bit fatigued and they were pressing hard and put us to the test.
“We stuck to the process and carried on with what we were doing.”
Speaking about Sunday’s Final, she added: “It’s going to be really tough. I think if we do what we did today and follow that it should all work out.
“There’s a bit of pressure but hopefully that brings out a better performance.”