The final game of the 2022-23 FIH Hockey Pro League Wellington mini-tournament was played between China and New Zealand, where the away offense dominated, earning 14 penalty corners during the game and scoring 5 goals from their 13 shots to go. his second mini-tournament with a win.
New Zealand vs China 2-5
China got off to a bright start to the game, spending the first 5 minutes in and around the Black Sticks’ circle. They also earned an early penalty corner, but the ball was not stopped cleanly at the top of the circle and the opportunity was missed. A second penalty corner in the 9th minute was taken by Gu Bingfeng and his low shot struck the post defender’s foot and led to a penalty kick that Bingfeng easily deflected to open the scoring for China.
A Bingfeng penalty corner in the first minute of the second quarter forced Brooke Roberts to make a fantastic save, diving low to her right as China looked for a second goal to add to their cushion. New Zealand’s first penalty corner led to a strike when a deflection from the right struck Gu Yangyan in the foot in front of goal. Olivia Merry stepped up to take it and scored to bring New Zealand level against the course of the game. China regained their lead in the 23rd minute when a cross from the left fell into the hands of Zhang Xiaoxue, who drifted the ball to his backhand and scored with a powerful ax shot. China doubled their lead early on when goalkeeper Roberts received a cross into the New Zealand circle, but her clearance fell squarely into the hands of Zou Meirong, whose cross shot on goal was deflected by Chen Yang.
New Zealand started the second half on a more positive note, earning an early penalty corner. They went for the variation again, looking for a detour to the right, but this time Lench was unable to make contact and the opportunity was lost. New Zealand halved the deficit late in the third quarter with a penalty corner. Merry’s first strike attempt was well blocked by the first runner, but the ball fell back to Merry and her second attempt was deflected to the far post by Hannah Cotter, who scored the second goal of her international career, having scored the first in the game against the USA just 24 hours ago.
China earned a series of penalty corners in the fourth quarter and came incredibly close to scoring when Gu Bingfeng’s drag flick hit the left post and went wide. A minute later, China scored their 4th from another penalty corner, opting for a variation, as Gu Bingfeng’s low shot was brilliantly deflected by Chen Yang, completely misleading Brooke Roberts in goal. Short corners kept coming for China and he added a 5th goal in the 55th minute, with another variation when Gu Bingfeng sent a low pass to the right of goal, where Liang Meiyu dove for a touch that went between the nets. player’s legs. post defender sealing the points for China.
Chen Yang was awarded the man of the match award, saying, “Very good performance and victory today. We gave our 100% and this was close to a perfect performance for us.”
Position update
Following the conclusion of the mini-tournament in Wellington, the top three in the Women’s Pro League table retain their places. Argentina remains on top with 14 points from 8 games, followed by Germany who have 13 points from their 8 games. The Netherlands follows closely behind with 12 points in just 4 games. China now move up to fifth place with 10 points from 8 games, followed by Australia, who collected 8 points in their first mini-tournament. New Zealand and the USA are in 6th and 7th place after their first set of matches, with both teams picking up 5 points, followed by Belgium, who also have 5 points from their 4 games. Great Britain rank dead last not to open their account after 4 games.
