Delhi2010 – Hockeyroos Win Gold Over New Zealand

The Hockeyroos ended coach Frank Murray’s six year reign in charge as Commonwealth champions after defeating New Zealand to claim gold in a thrilling penalty stroke shoot-out following a 2-2 draw.

Four AIS-WAIS athletes received gold as part of the Hockeyroos squad, with Fiona Boyce, Jayde Taylor, Shelly Liddelow and goal scoring hero Ashleigh Nelson all involved in the playoff.

Australia headed into the match as warm favourites but in a scrappy first half littered with turnovers it became evident the match would be a tight affair.

The Hockeyroos however, did earn an early advantage after forcing a penalty corner, which was converted for a 1-0 lead when Nicole Arrold’s tame low flick was misjudged by New Zealand keeper Beth Jurgeleit and went in under her despairing dive.

Australia continued to enjoy the better of the first half without creating too many opportunities, but appeared happy to keep New Zealand at arms length.

The containment plan backfired on 48 minutes for Australia when a penalty corner variation for the Kiwis was not dealt with and Samantha Harrison finished from close range to level scores at 1-1.

Australia immediately sparked into action and forced New Zealand onto the back foot, and it appeared after 59 minutes it had the gold medal in its keeping after reclaiming the lead, again through a penalty corner, that this time was not cleared allowing WAIS athlete Ashleigh Nelson to turn home from close range.

New Zealand wasted little time in throwing everything into attack with nothing to lose and everything to gain. After claiming a penalty corner in the last minute of play – there was an air of inevitability about New Zealand’s equalizer, with Clarrisa Eshuis sending the Kiwis and the majority of the Indian crowd into raptures with a neat finish.

Extra time came and went without finding a goal, although Nelson did waste one chance she would like to have had again.

The penalty stroke lottery fell the way of Australia in any case with New Zealand first suffering at the hands of brilliant keeper Rachael Lynch before captain Kayla Sharland sent her effort wide. Even a missed stroke to Australia proved inconsequential as the final penalty found the net to spark Australia into joyous scenes.