Netherlands over-run NZ in hockey final

The world No.1 Netherlands team have beaten New Zealand 3-0 to win the women's Hockey World League Final in Auckland.

The Netherlands have beaten New Zealand 3-0 to take out the gold medal match at the women's Hockey World League Final in Auckland.

The Dutch, who had hammered the Black Sticks 4-0 in pool play, proved too strong and too fast in a fierce final which they dominated after a scoreless first quarter.

The win was set up by a dominant second spell when the Netherlands slammed home two goals in the space of two minutes.

First Kelly Jonker then Maria Verschoor punished New Zealand's failure to clear their lines.

The Dutch ran riot through the midfield, amassing 13 circle entries to the Black Sticks' three and unleashing five shots on goal to none in the opening 30 minutes.

Matters didn't improve for the Kiwis after halftime, loose defence leaving Laurien Leurink wide open to add a third for the Netherlands after barely two minutes.

New Zealand finished the spell on a positive note, earning their first penalty corner of the match on the back of a strong run from midfielder Kelsey Smith.

But a nicely worked variation, with Ella Gunson teeing up Amy Robinson, flashed just wide and the Black Sticks went into the final break trailing by three.

They managed to create a few more chances in the final 15 minutes, but the Dutch defence held comfortably.

The win concluded a masterful tournament for the Netherlands at the eight-nation event, as they cruised through six matches without conceding a goal while collecting 18 themselves.

It was a disappointing finish for the Black Sticks, who couldn't manage a win in pool play but went on to beat third ranked Argentina 2-1 in the quarter-finals and world No.2 England 1-0 in the semis.


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Source: AAP


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Netherlands over-run NZ in hockey final | SBS News