New Zealand defeats Canadian women in Delhi
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| Thea Culley earned her 50th Cap Photo: CWG/Yan Huckendubler |
October 9, 2010
The Canadian women’s field hockey team lost their game to New Zealand (1-3) but nevertheless finishes 3rd in their group and will play for 5th-6th place, their best Commonwealth Games finish to date.
With all the other matches in pool B already played, the Canadians knew that they would finish 3rd in their group if they could, at worst, lose by less than four goals to New Zealand, a team that has dominated the competition so far in Delhi, including a severe 4-1 trashing of top-ranked England.
Canada started well, defending efficiently against a New Zealand team with plenty of skilled forwards. They fended off a penalty-corner and immediately earned two of their own, but to no avail. New Zealand was playing a more structured attacking game, with Canada dangerous mostly with the swift counter-attacks of Stephanie NESBITT, Katie BAKER and Robyn PENDLETON.
New Zealand scored early in second half, but the Canadian team immediately replied with gusto, finding Robyn PENDLETON at the conclusion of a series of passes in the circle that dazzled the New Zealand defense.
New Zealand enjoyed a large proportion of ball possession in second half, but could only score one additional field goal in the 47th minute, then a penalty-stroke in the last minute of play when Canada had secured the result they were looking for.
Today was the 50 International Cap for Thea Culley. Congratulations!
The Canadian women’s team plays their classification game for 5th-6th place against India on Monday.
For more information on the Canadian field hockey teams at the 2010 Commonwealth in Delhi, please contact Yan Huckendubler, Press Attaché, at +91 78-3850-3722.
New Zealand vs. Canada: 3-1 (0-0)
NZL 36mn (FG) 1:0
CAN 41mn Robyn PENDLETON (FG) 1:1
NZL 47mn (FG) 2:1
NZL 69mn (PS) 3:1
Canada: Kate GILLIS, Katie COLLISON, Ali LEE, Stephanie JAMESON, Thea CULLEY, Stephanie NESBITT, Katie BAKER, Abigail RAYE, Diana ROEMER, Robyn PENDLETON, Tyla FLEXMAN, Samantha SMITH, Kristine WISHART, Anna KOZNIUK, Azelia LIU (GK)
DNP: Amanda STONE (GK),
