Black Sticks Women Secure World Cup Spot with Penalty Shootout Victory

The New Zealand women’s hockey team, known as the Black Sticks, has qualified for the upcoming World Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Hockeyroos of Australia. The decisive match took place on October 15, 2023, in Darwin, where New Zealand triumphed 5-4 in penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time. This victory secured a 2-1 series win in the fiercely contested Oceania Cup.

Australia started strong, taking a 1-0 lead in the final match. However, the Black Sticks rallied in the fourth quarter, equalizing and forcing the game into a shootout. Goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon played a vital role in the shootout, making crucial saves that ultimately led her team to victory. O’Hanlon expressed her joy after the match, stating, “It feels like something has been building for us for so long. We’ve had this grinding couple of years, and then at the Nations Cup we started to build. The belief has started to be there and this is the result.”

The series was tightly contested, with both teams winning one game each before the final showdown. New Zealand had previously won the opener, while Australia bounced back to take the second match on home soil. This series win is particularly significant for the Black Sticks, who are ranked 10th globally, while the Hockeyroos are currently 5th. O’Hanlon described the win as a major step forward for New Zealand’s women’s hockey team, stating, “We will celebrate wholeheartedly into the night.”

Coached by former men’s Black Stick Phil Burrows, the Black Sticks faced a challenging series. Burrows emphasized the competitive nature of the Oceania Cup, urging his players to compete with confidence and freedom.

This victory not only secures New Zealand’s place in the World Cup but also showcases the resilience and growth of the women’s team. As they look ahead to the tournament, the Black Sticks will carry the momentum of this significant win, hopeful for success on the international stage.