The Rio Olympics Hockey competition reaches its quarter-final stage with an in-form and strong looking New Zealand side squaring off against rivals the Australian Hockeyroos who must improve and have plenty to prove. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11pm (AEST).
The Hockeyroos seem to have gradually improved the longer the tournament has gone on, and despite there still being plenty of teething issues present they will rate themselves a strong chance of knocking off New Zealand and advancing to the semi-finals.
The biggest problem for the Hockeyroos throughout the tournament (and the Kookaburras for that matter) has been the ability to finish in front of goal. Yes, they can create chances but finishing them has been a problem – a major one at that.
While they have rebounded to an extent, six of their 11 goals came against India and two more against China, which simply isn’t good enough.
Their defence has been very good though, only conceeding five goals all tournament and it has well and truly kept them in games. With New Zealand also struggling on attack it could come down to who makes the most of opportunities and so defending like they have done sets them in good steed moving forward with an improving offence.
New Zealand, on the other hand have had three wins, a draw and a loss throughout the tournament to see them finish second in Group A only behind the Netherlands. They started strongly but stuttered against Germany in a surprise loss before drawing with the Netherlands and finishing on a 3-0 win against China.
Their attack like Australia has been poor only scoring 11 goals with three against China and four against South Korea in their first game. Their defence has been fantastic though and holding the Netherlands to a one-all draw has to be at the top of the list.
The sides have met five times in the last 14 months with the Hockeyroos holding that ledger 3-2, including victory in the Oceania Championships final which confirmed their qualification for the Games and Champions Trophy tournament.
Prediction
Australia will give this a red-hot shake here, but I’m just not sure they have enough potency to finish in attack. New Zealand haven’t been fantastic at that end of the field either, but they will get it done in a low scoring match.
New Zealand 2 – Australia 1
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Rio Olympics Hockey quarter-final from 11pm (AEST) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
james
Guest
tbf, the men have done well considering they originally didnt qualify for the olympics
Targa
Guest
As a Kiwi it is a good to get a win after the nightmare of the men's qf against Germany
Scott Pryde
Expert
No probs guys! Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for following along. Dani, yep been a shocker of a Games for both the Roos and Kookas. Need an address on affairs, although it could be down to less experience in the squads? Not sure. And I would assume we will be blogging the medal matches if people are available. Not sure at this point. DJ, would I be correct in assuming you support New Zealand? If that is the case, good luck for the rest of the tournament. Disappointing the match wasn't shown on that side of the Tasman.
DJ
Guest
Kia Ora Scott. Appreciate your coverage. Obviously the shot put and long jump are more scintillating to watch than the traditional rivalry between the Anzacs on the mainstream channels. Ka pai Bro!
DaniE
Roar Guru
Darned autocorrect
DaniE
Roar Guru
Thanks Scott. The last of the hockey holdings you'll have to blog. Utterly disappointed in both teams. I would like to hear a clear non-PR-spun from Hockey Australia on the state of affairs in this campaign because to have both the Roos and Kookas flatter in this way is shocking.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 Rio Olympics as the New Zealand Blacksticks knocked the Australian Hockeyroos straight out of the quarter-finals. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage (even if not the result). There is a heap of sport coming up over the next couple of days, with athletics and track cycling still to come throughout the morning. I'll be back Wednesday Morning (or Tuesday Morning) depending which way you look at it from midnight (AEST) for the Australian Opals clash against Serbia in the quarter-finals. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Australians fought, but just didn't have it in them. It's the first time since 1986 when no Australian Hockey Teams will win a medal.
Scott Pryde
Expert
New Zealand will play the winner of Great Britain and Spain now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME New Zealand happy to take some time off the clock as McLaren goes for a long run from left to right before Harrison links back up with McLaren in the corner. McLaren now goes baseline and loses it. Won't matter because that will do us. New Zealand through to the semi-finals. New Zealand 4 Australia 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Australia with an immediate steal and Claxton links with Dwyer. They go left to right and through the defence but not much happening before they turn it over. New Zealand 4 Australia 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' GOAL AUSTRALIA, KATHRYN SLATTERY The Australians work it to the circle from Sablowski to Bluth and she has a shot that misses, deflects and across the circle for Slattery to find the back of the net. Too little too late though. New Zealand 4 Australia 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Couple more turnovers and Whitelock sweeps a ball out of the circle over the sideline. New Zealand 4 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' New Zealand with a free hit and a turnover straight away but a great tackle sees New Zealand go through Morgan on the counrt. She crosses for Marry and Lynch out again to save the goalkeeping. New Zealand 4 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Micklesen down the right side now with a strong run and she has a strong cross into the circle - great defence from Dwyer and they stop anything from happening there. New Zealand 4 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Australia still not able to execute their plays here and they work it into the circle once again with Slattery shot missing. This one is just about over. New Zealand 4 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Williams into the circle taking on the Kiwi defence, but they hold strong forcing the ball over the baseline. Sablowski now with it and they work it around near halfway.. Good defence as they press forward and Cos is on the counter. New Zealand 4 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Australia down the left edge and they win a free hit for the stick check. Out to halfway and Blyth goes to Nance on the far side but she loses it under pressure over the sideline. New Zealand 4 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' New Zealand right on the attack here but eventually a ball of the foot gives away the free. Double team and a steal for Merry. New Zealand 4 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Claxton, McMahon and Stewart link up towards the baseline but great defence sends it out. Sablowski with it from the corner, going to Nance and they win a free. Into the circle and a big flick from McMahon, deflected and Claxton can't quite get to it on the reverse. New Zealand 4 Australia 1