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Namibia finish 12th after 4-3 defeat to NZ


NAMIBIA’S women finished 12th at the Indoor Hockey World Cup in Pretoria after losing 4-3 to New Zealand on Friday morning.

After a tight goalless first half, New Zealand streaked into a 4-1 lead and despite a great comeback by Namibia they could not close the gap as New Zealand held on for a hard fought victory.

In a tactical first half there were few chances on either side although Namibia did win two short corners which they failed to convert.

New Zealand, however, broke the deadlock with two goals within a minute at the start of the third quarter, with Philippa Norman scoring from a short corner, while Kirsten Pearce made it 2-0, attacking immediately from the restart and flicking the ball high into the net.

Namibia came back strongly, winning a short corner at the end of the third quarter, with Jivanka Kruger converting, to reduce the gap to 2-1.

New Zealand immediately went on the offensive in the fourth quarter with Pearce scoring a fine goal on the turn, and then completing her hat-trick from a quick counter-attack to put New Zealand 4-1 up.

Namibia immediately struck back through an Azaylee Philander field goal, and when Kruger scored her second goal from a short corner, they were just 4-3 down.

Namibia won a few more short corners in the closing stages but could not convert as New Zealand held on for a narrow victory.





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