Not only do Australia sit well ahead on the medal tally (22 totals medals compared to New Zealand’s eight) but the big cousins across the ditch also dominate the head-to-head match-ups.
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Argentina stunned Germany, the gold medallists in 2008 and 2012, by 5-2 while Belgium clinched a 3-1 semi-final win over neighbours Netherlands, the 1996 and 2000 champions. They know what it’s like to defend a gold medal; in fact they’re looking for their third consecutive now. They will face a Spain team that only earned six points during the preliminary round, so expect Great Britain to make easy work of them.
The Germans had enjoyed a streak of luck by scoring in the last 8 seconds of three games, including forcing a 4-4 draw with Argentina in pool play last Thursday.
Contests between the trans-Tasman neighbors hardly constitute a rivalry because Australia dominates, and had lost to New Zealand in major competition only twice since the London Games.
But New Zealand tried to work a penalty corner, and Germany counter-attacked. “Splattering, spluttering, we couldn’t get any really flow (in the competition), and today we just played against an awesome Dutch team”. I’m lucky to get the opportunity again because that memory is engrained. “The highlight and lowlight was playing the semifinal”. “It’s disappointing for us, but we want to get the bronze medal”. Their only better finish was third at the 1984 Games. Shea McAleese doubled the New Zealand advantage when he touched home a penalty corner with just 11 minutes of the match remaining.
Despite the dominance the USA showed in pool play, it was the Germans who took control from the opening whistle and maintained possession for the majority of the game. “One we could handle, two was harder”. “As long as there are seconds on the clock we will keep playing”.
Defender Sam Charlton said the result was just the beginning for a side eyeing gold. “I think we’ve never beaten them in an official tournament”, Dohmen told reporters.
But No.3-ranked Australia came back with gusto, forcing goalkeeper Sally Rutherford into two smart saves from penalty corners before Smith deflected home skipper Kayla Whitelock’s penalty corner effort to give New Zealand a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Mink Van der Weerden made sure he kept his team close before the second quarter was over when he scored his ninth penalty corner goal.
Australia responded but New Zealand grabbed a 3-1 buffer in the 38th minute when Michelsen found Flynn in front of an open goal.
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Netherlands were quick off the blocks against world number two Argentina as they romped to a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Laurien Leurink and Lidewij Welten in the first half.
