INDIA: New Zealand began its Hockey World Cup in dominant style by beating Chile 3-1 at Rourkela. Today’s Group C fixture marked Chile’s men’s Hockey World Cup debut.
New Zealand’s dominant style in the game handed them victory
The Black Sticks started aggressively and put pressure on the debutants right away. However, Chile managed to fend off the initial attacks from New Zealand thanks to some brilliant work from the goalkeeper.
Same Lane scored the first goal for New Zealand in the first quarter by sweeping the ball past Adrian Henriquez while entering the Chile circle.
Moments later. Sam Hiha made it 2-0 when he scored off Tarrant’s pass. Tarrant soon received a green card, which left New Zealand a man down for two minutes. Chile won a penalty corner from the green card, but Dixon saved the shot.
New Zealand got a penalty corner after Chilean defenders tackled Sam Child roughly in the Chile circle. Chile had the opportunity to counter-attack after it defended the penalty, but the first quarter ended.
In this 19th minute, Sam Hiha scored his second goal to put his side up 3-0. Simon Child stole the ball from Chile and passed it on to Hiha, who promptly scored the goal.
In the third quarter, Chile successfully asked for a penalty corner via the video referral, but their opportunity to convert it went begging after it went wide of the post.
Chile scored their first-ever World Cup goal in the fourth quarter of the match. Ignacio Contardo slipped the ball past the Kiwi goalkeeper, Leon Hayward, who had come forward to deflect off the ball.
Chile was awarded the goal after much deliberation due to the possibility of it having come off the back stick.
Chile won a penalty corner in the dying stages of the match, but Hayward managed to stop the La Rojas before Nic Woods put the ball away.
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