-
Stacey Michelsen of the Black Sticks looks for support. - Source: Getty -
Related
The Women's Black Sticks side have drawn their Champions Trophy opener against the world's second-ranked side, and hosts, Argentina 2-2 today.
Bronze medallists at last year's tournament, the Kiwis were hungry to return to that winning form after a disappointing Four Nations campaign last month saw them lose all four of their matches.
The opening minutes of the match were tight with both sides playing conservatively and looking to minimise errors and retain possession early on.
Numerous physical exchanges prompted the groans from the crowd though it was New Zealand who earned the first penalty corner of the game, getting in to the D to pressure the defence and earn the referee's call.
The chance was missed however when ball was slow in coming to the Black Sticks striker, and the opportunity was shut down by the home side.
Argentina had a couple of opportunities to score after battling back through the middle but New Zealand's defence held and won possession back before scrambling the ball back downfield.
The Black sticks kept asking questions of the home side and with seven minutes remaining in the half their efforts bore fruit with Stacey Michelsen producing a great individual effort to storm through the midfield past four defenders before beating the goalkeeper to score the first points of the match.
New Zealand would have been happy to be on top on the scoreboard as they headed to the sheds at halftime with possession and territory evenly shared between the two sides.
The second half began with the Argentines looking like they'd woken from a slumber, launching long-range raids and efficiently working their way into attacking position.
The Black Sticks seemed to have things in control before a defender obstructed inside the D area to concede a penalty shot which just skimmed wide of the left goal post.
New Zealand should have been 2-0 up 12 minutes in to the half when Gemma Flynn's reverse-strike effort form 20 metres out in midfield was brilliantly saved by the Argentine goalkeeper.
The elusive second goal came soon after however, when Katie Glynn's effort sent the keeper on to the back foot before Samantha Harrisson showed great awareness to strike it home to the back of the goal.
Immediate response
Argentina's response was immediate when Martina Cavallero
looked to have scooped it in to score, video reviews revealed there
was no back-stick contact and the goal was awarded.
New Zealand found themselves on the backfoot as the Argentines grew in confidence as the parochial crowd behind them grew in voice.
An aggressive challenge from Michelsen saw her sent to the sinbin with 10 minutes left on the clock which immediately allowed Argentina to take their second penalty corner of the day.
The Black Sticks managed to hang on, and survived yet another raid from Argentine veteran Luciana Aymar, but the closing stages of this match were going to be tense with both sides desperate for the win.
Argentine replacement Delfina Marina showed a good turn of speed to beat New Zealand defenders inside the D to earn another corner penalty with five remaining.
The equaliser found its mark, Marino slapping a textbook shot that ricocheted off the ground in front of the fallen Black Sticks keeper, and on in to the goal.
The last frenetic minute of the game saw the Black Sticks defender Lucy Talbot foul Aymar to concede another corner penalty.
The attempt at goal was unsuccessful leaving the Black Sticks fortunate to escape with the draw.
The Black Sticks have two remaining pool matches before coach Mark Hager and his team can eye the quarter-finals.
Black Sticks: 2 (Michelsen, Harrisson
goals).
Argentina: 2 (Cavallero, Marino goals).
