The Australian Hockeyroos will go for gold on Saturday afternoon when they take on Trans-tasman rivals New Zealand in the women’s hockey final at the Commonwealth Games. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12:45pm (AEST).
Australia and New Zealand have a long hockey rivalry, and they are the only sides who even came close to stopping each other during the tournament.
Both sides were entirely dominant for the most part, with the only non-win across the four group games coming when they fought out a zero-all draw.
The Aussies have blitzed through the tournament without a care in the world, but they were pushed just a little bit by India in their semi-final on Thursday evening.
It saw the Hockeyroos take more than half of the match to hit the scoreboard, the goal coming off an excellent field goal. In the end, it would prove enough, with the Australian side continuing their trend throughout the tournament of controlling possession.
They have done it with ease against most sides, and it means they are able to answer attacks quite easily with multiple players behind the ball. That shows on the scoreboard, with the Hockeyroos still yet to let in a goal.
While New Zealand can’t boast the same defensive statistics as the Hockeyroos, they didn’t let in a goal when the sides played in the group stage and the Kiwis will take confidence from that.
They will also take plenty out of their semi-final, even if not from an offensive point of view.
Playing against England, they tried time and time again, but failed to register a goal. With the same happening at the other end in a high-quality game, it went to a shootout with New Zealand edging out, holding their nerve to make the gold medal match.
Prediction
This may well go to a shootout, it’s that close. Australia, with a raucous home crowd behind them should get the job done one way or another, but this could be a match for the ages.
Australia 2 – New Zealand 1.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the gold medal women’s hockey match from 12:45pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
me too
Guest
kiwis far too good on the day. no probs with the coach playing 11 for most of the last - we needed the extra as they had us well held. best team won, and won comfortably.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 Commonwealth Games as New Zealand took out the women's tournament over Australia. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Tonight, Thomas English will have the men's final between the same nations from 9:15pm (AEST). I'll be back at 11am (AEST) tomorrow with the men's basketball final. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match and tournament Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's the first time the Hockeyroos have lost a match at the Commonwealth Games since the 2002 semi-finals at Manchester.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Well, New Zealand have done it. They are champions of the Commonwealth after a dominating performance today. The Hockeyroos, coming into today hadn't let a goal in all game. Today, they let in four. They saved their worst performance of the tournament for the day that counted the most. On the other hand, New Zealand saved their best performance for the day that counted the most and the Black Sticks have won the gold medal on the back of a superb performance and tournament. What a performance from New Zealand. Australia 1 New Zealand 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Australia again into the circle. Not a bad pass in, but it's deflected over the baseline as Rutherford watches it through. From the corner, it's another ball over the baseline. Australia 1 New Zealand 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Well, Australia needs more than a goal per minute but they aren't going to die wondering here. Big attacking raid and they are into the circle here, but Hurtz gives away a free hit. Australia 1 New Zealand 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' - GOAL NEW ZEALAND, ANITA MCLAREN Goal! No goalkeeper, the ball is flicked on goal and goes straight through. McLaren with the shot and New Zealand surely win the gold medal now? They are up three with just four and a half minutes to go. Australia 1 New Zealand 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Oh wow! Penalty corner for New Zealand. Australia don't have a goalkeeper. It's a drag flick on goal, but some very brave running stops it. Another Penalty corner though. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Here come New Zealand. They can put it beyond doubt with another goal here. Struggling to find a way into the circle right now, but they are right on top. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Fey has a slap at goal, but that penalty corner didn't quite work for Australia and they will have to work back into the circle. Eventually Michelsen clears the danger. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Australia on the march here! McMahon and then it's Hurtz with a lovely play to get around the top of the circle, then she flicks a ball in. It's hit the foot of a New Zealand defender and Australia win a penalty corner! Reviewed by New Zealand. It's not overruled though. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Australia struggling to gain any sort of ascendency over this match here. They will work backwards, before New Zealand take possession and Merry turns it over. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Well, goodness me. Here come New Zealand again. They have a corner with a ball deflected over the baseline. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' No goalkeeper and Harrison wins a ball about halfway out for New Zealand. She heads into the circle and the defence got back nicely, the shot eventually flicking across the face of goal. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Goalkeeper off for Australia a long, long way from home. No more Lynch and Australia are going all out attack as they try to save this game. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 10' New Zealand with a push forward, but a cross clears the circle. Australia will now try to get it out of their defensive line and they pick up a free just shy of halfway. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 10' - GOAL AUSTRALIA, JODIE KENNY Maybe we aren't finished just yet. Good injection pass, great trap from Smith and it's Kenny's drag flick finding the back of the net in the bottom right corner! Australia on the board and there's life in this game - still a long way back though. Australia 1 New Zealand 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 10' Danger not over here for the Black Sticks. Australia into the circle and they catch a foot again. Australia with another penalty corner - they are starting to roll, but must convert here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 11' The injection pass is out to Kenny who drives on goal, but that's a good stop from Rutherford as the ball deflects behind. Australia 0 New Zealand 3