Mark Geenty16:45, Jul 25 2021
Sky Sport
Black Sticks women thrash Argentina 3-0 in their pool B opener at the Olympics.
New Zealand’s women hockey players defied the heat and stunned world No 3 Argentina with a remarkable 3-0 win, to open their Tokyo Olympics campaign in the best possible fashion on Sunday. Second half goals to Kelsey Smith, Hope Ralph and Holly Pearson - the latter scoring her first in international hockey - saw the world No 6 Black Sticks make a flying start to pool B in the race for the top-four to make the quarterfinals. In searing 30degC-plus temperatures, the New Zealanders defended superbly to shut down numerous Argentina raids, and achieved a hugely significant win without two of their best players Stacey Michelsen and Samantha Charlton.