N.Z. WOMEN’S HOCKEY SIDE HELD TO A DRAW

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33942, 8 September 1975, Page 24

N.Z. WOMEN’S HOCKEY SIDE HELD TO A DRAW

(From

ROBERT HORROCKS,

N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent)

EDINBURGH.

New Zealand’s prospects in the international womens’ hockey championship tournament in Edinburgh received a set-back when it was held to a 1-all draw by Argentina.

It puts pressure on the team for when it meets England today, because this match must be won, preferably by a good margin, if the New Zealanders are to stand a chance of reaching the final on Wednesday.

The draw, in a fast-moving, sometimes robust match, throws the outcome of New Zealand’s semi-final poo! wide open. It gives strength to England, which did not play yesterday and can now afford a draw in either of its matches with New Zealand or Argentina. New Zealand on the other hand needs to win today by a margin which gives it insurance against an Argentinian win over England, in which case goal averages would decide the finalist. This will not be easy. England has a strong, de-

fensively-minded team which has conceded only one goal in winning three matches to date. FAIR RESULT The 1-all draw between New Zealand and Argentina was a fair result on the run of play. New Zealand forced nine penalty corners to Argentina’s eight, but neither team was able to them directly into goals. One, however — the shot of New Zealand’s left-inner, Shirley Haig — rebounded off the Argentinian goal-keeper’s hands, and the left-wing, Pip Lunn, was on hand to put the ball into the cage and give

New Zealand the lead 19 minutes into the first half. Argentina levelled in the opening minute of the second half after the New Zealand goal-keeper, Gael Ferguson had failed to clear a shot properly. The match featured a number of skilful forward movements by both teams, with New Zealand mostly attacking down the right side. Argentina attacked through three forwards, and frequently harassed a New Zealand defence that at times appeared almost to panic under pressure. The centre-forward, Jenny

McDonald, was the pick of the New Zealand players and she received some good support from the right-inner, Judy Phillips. The New Zealand captain, Pat Barwick, did some good tidying-up work at centre-half, but the inability of New Zealand to keep tight control on the match threatened its unbeaten record.

Earlier New Zealand beat Spain 3-0.

In the other semi-final pool match the Netherlands, seeded top, beat the third seed, Australia, 2-1. Other results; Malaysia 1, Denmark 0; Ireland 2, Spain 0; Japan 4, Austria 0; United States 0, India 0; Trinidad and Tobago 2, Zambia 1; Britain and Ireland under 23 6, Bermuda 1.