|
Belgium have continued their fine
form early in 2020 with a gutsy 2-1 win over the Vantage Black
Sticks Women. Despite a significant weight of possession in favour
of the Black Sticks as well as several scoring opportunities, it
was the Belgium team that came out on the right side of the ledger.
Belgium came into the contest
against the Vantage Black Sticks full of confidence after some
impressive results the previous weekend against Australia.
Belgium started the match in the
best possible fashion as they would charge down into the New
Zealand circle and rip a reverse stick shot past the New Zealand
goalkeeper to put the Belgium side firmly in control early in the
match.
New Zealand managed to regain
their composure and earn several penalty corners as the quarter
wore on. The Belgium defence was stoic and continued to frustrate
the New Zealand team who were unable to create any clear scoring
opportunities.
New Zealand started the second
quarter in the best possible fashion when Gemma McCaw in her first
international match in three years managed to find the back of the
net and tie the game up at one goal apiece.
The Kiwis then ramped up the
pressure on the Belgium defence as they went close to hitting the
lead on several occasions just before the half time break.
Early in the second half, the New
Zealand team suffered a setback when Olivia Shannon was sent from
the field, forcing the Black Sticks to play with only ten for the
next five minutes.
Despite the setback, New Zealand
was able to apply significant pressure on the Belgium defence
however their goalkeeper continued to come up big.
With ten minutes remaining in the
match, the Belgium team stormed into the New Zealand circle to earn
their second penalty corner. Belgium then converted the subsequent
penalty corner off a sweep shot past the New Zealand defence. This
put Belgium in the box seat for the match as they looked to secure
points in every one of their first three matches of the FIH Pro
League.
With time winding down, the Kiwis
pulled their goalkeeper as they searched for the equalizing goal.
As time wound down, Gemma McCaw had a great shot that went just
wide of the outside post as the Belgium team would hold their nerve
against the home side.
The teams will return to the turf
tomorrow for their second match of the weekend.
Vantage Black Sticks Women 1 (Gemma McCaw 17 min)
Belgium 2 (Ambre Ballenghien 2 min,
Anne-Sophie Weyns 51 min)
|
