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Samantha Harrison in action for the Black Sticks against Japan. - Source: Photosport -
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Japan's Rika Komazawa scored a golden goal securing a win for her team and killing off a spirited second half comeback by the Black Sticks Women's side in the fifth and sixth play-off game at the FIH Champions Trophy in Rosario today.
Black Sticks Women's coach Mark Hager spoke of their disappointment at once again finding themselves down at the halftime break: "We got outmuscled in the first half and it was always going to be a struggle to come back," says Hager.
Japan went ahead in the first half, showing their skill and speed through the midfield with Akane Shibata and Izuki Tanaka both scoring and taking their team to a 2-0 lead.
Both teams had close to equal ball possession in the first half, but Japan had more opportunities to score with six shots on goal and four penalty corners.
With the score 2-0 at half time to Japan, it was five minutes into the second half when Kayla Sharland took a reverse stick shot at the top of the circle and Katie Glynn deflected it into the net and the Black Sticks started their come back.
The Kiwis held more ball possession in the opening spell of the half and created some good opportunities.
They were awarded their first penalty corner of the game with 22 minutes on the clock, and were subsequently awarded another two but were unable to convert.
However, the Black Sticks pressure paid off when they were awarded their fourth penalty corner and co captain Kayla Sharland's drag flick was deflected in by Stacey Michelsen who was right on the post.
The Japanese stepped up the tempo and after a number of shots at goal, all well saved by goal keeper Sally Rutherford, the ball was crossed to Kaori Fujio who was unmarked and she tapped it over the line and Japan took the lead, 3-2.
There was ten minutes left for the Black Sticks to equalise and take the game to extra time, and with only two minutes left, the Kiwis were awarded a penalty corner and Glynn took a straight shot at goal and scored.
With the game going into extra time, it was end to end play with both sides turning over the ball and trying to maintain possession.
But it was Japan's Komazawa who took a reverse stick shot and sealed the win to finish fifth.
The Black Sticks finish the tournament in sixth place - equal to their world ranking position.
Black Sticks: 3 (Glynn 2, Michelsen
goals).
Japan: 4 (Shibata, Tanaka, Fujio, Komazawa
goals).
Half time: 2-0 Japan
