News

04-09 Japan and New Zealand share the spoils

2010-09-04 10:09:00

The final match of a long day here in Rosario saw Japan and New Zealand play out an entertaining 2-2 draw which included some outstanding play between two attack-minded teams. Sadly the result was not good for either team, leaving them both five points adrift of 3rd placed Australia in Pool A.

The match started with a worrying incident involving Japan's Yukari YAMAMOTO, who was hit in the face with the ball. YAMAMOTO left the field and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. Despite the loss of YAMAMOTO, Japan arguably had the better of the opening stages, but New Zealand had plenty of opportunities to open the scoring. Charlotte HARRISON thought that she had opened the scoring in the 15th minute for the Black Sticks, but her reverse stick shot was deemed to be outside the circle.

The first goal of the game arrived ten minutes into the second half when Kaori CHIBA fired a high shot past New Zealand goalkeeper Beth JURGELEIT. The goal gave Japan the momentun to press for a second, which duly arrived in the 54th minute when Mie NAKASHIMA scored a brilliant half volley deflection with her reverse stick. New Zealand were rattled, but two goals in two minutes brought them back to life in the most sensational fashion. Krystal FORGESSON collected her fourth goal of the tournament in the 56th minute before Kayla SHARLAND scored a captain's goal moments later to level the scores. Japan had the chance to win the match late on with two penalty corner opportunities, but Beth JURGELEIT ensured that her team claimed a share of the points with a double save.

Match: 18 - Japan v New Zealand 2-2
> Japan and New Zealand collected their first point at Rosario 2010.
> New Zealand came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Japan.
> The last time a team came back from 2-0 down to draw at the World Cup was in 2002 KOR-UKR 2-2 after a 0-2 lead for Ukraine.
> Kaori Chiba (JPN) netted her second goal of the tournament and her sixth in World Cup history.
> This was the second time Japan had a 0-0 half-time score following their match against Germany (1-2, 0-0).
> Krystal Forgesson (NZL) joins Rani Rampal (IND) on four goals this tournament. Only Maartje Paumen (NED) has scored more (7).

FIH