New Zealand receive their Champions Challenge gold medals from FIH Vice President Tony von Ondarza

Black Sticks thunder to Challenge title 

Under thunderous skies, New Zealand earned a place back in the Champions Trophy fold after winning the Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge

by Matthew Slade, FIH Communications Manager

After being relegated from the Champions Trophy in Rosario at the end of last year, New Zealand confirmed their pre-tournament favouritism based on the Sahara WorldHockey Team Rankings and showed good resolve and experience in pressure matches to overcome South Africa 2-0 in the final. 

South Africa was the front runner for the entire tournament, undefeated until the last preliminary round match against England as the other teams struggled to find consistency. 

England, Japan and New Zealand all arrived at the final round robin matches with a chance to join South Africa in the final, but when the Black Sticks defeated Japan 2-1 thanks to Honor Dillon’s late goal, only England had a chance to overtake the world number six. 

Needing a four-goal victory against the table-topping South Africans to set up a rematch the following day, England peppered their opponent’s goal and looked certain to eclipse that target in an overwhelming performance.

However they only managed to penetrate the South African defence on three occasions and couldn’t find the extra goal when it mattered most despite a string of good chances late in the match. 

New Zealand’s big match experience was a significant advantage in the tournament decider. While thunder storms in the Virginia Beach area delayed the start of the final by 60 minutes it didn’t unsettle the Black Sticks, They drew on the experience gained from high-stakes Olympic playoff matches and a Champions Trophy campaign in the past 12 months to control the match. 

Although they finished the tournament with two losses, South Africa’s performances were enough to suggest they are heading in the right direction. Illness to team members before the match against England undoubtedly took a toll on their performances. 

Before the tournament however, South Africa wasn’t expected to feature in the reckoning for the title, but strong early form earned them a rightful spot in the gold medal match. 

England left their run too late, with a poor 4-0 loss to Japan on day two the main factor in their narrow failure to miss the final. Another loss to Japan in the bronze medal playoff sent them to fourth place. Although missing two Under 21 stars, it was a disappointing result for the second-highest ranked team in the tournament. 

Of the other competitors, USA defeated Spain twice in succession to claim fifth spot, with continual improvement from their first match until the end of the tournament a positive sign for first-year coach Lee Bodimeade. 

Stats Pack
Final Standings
1. New Zealand
2. South Africa
3. Japan
4. England
5. USA
6. Spain

Awards
Player of the Tournament: Lizzy Igasan (NZL)
Top Goalkeeper: Amy Tran (USA)
Top Goal Scorer: Angie Loy (USA), Tomomi Komori (JPN) 3

Stats
Matches Played: 18
Goals Scored: 64
Average Goals per Match: 3.55
Field Goals Scored: 37
Penalty Corner Goals Scored: 26
Penalty Stroke Goals Scored: 1
Number of Goals Scored in 1st Half: 30
Number of Goals Scored in 2nd Half: 34
Top Goal Scorer (team): Japan (13)