New Delhi:
Australia won their second successive Commonwealth Games women's hockey gold with a nerve-wracking 4-2 win over New Zealand on penalties in the final on Wednesday.
Jessica Nicole scored the winner while Krystal Forgesson missed her attempt in the penalty shoot-out after the scores were tied 2-2 at the end of the regulation period and extra-time.
The defending champions, ranked one rung over New Zealand at six, were tested by their gritty trans-Tasman rivals in the high-intensity clash played before a sizeable crowd at the sun-baked Major Dhyan Chand stadium.
The victory -- Australia's first in a major tournament after their gold in the 2006 Melbourne Games -- turned out to be a sweet send-off for coach Frank Murray, who is set to quit after the event.
It was Nicole who put Australia in the lead in the ninth minute after converting a penalty corner with a searing drag-flick that tore past Kiwi keeper Beth Jurgeleit.
The Kiwis missed a close chance to level the scores shortly before the end of the first-half with Anna Thorpe failing to put the ball in despite having just the goalkeeper to beat.
But New Zealand bounced back in the second-half and scored the equaliser through striker Samantha Harrison who converted a short corner off a rebound in the 48th.
Australia struck again to take a 2-1 lead after Asleigh Nelson converted a penalty in the 59th, only to see the Kiwis level the scores just at the final hooter off a Clarissa Eshuis strike.
It was New Zealand's best Games result, eclipsing the bronze medal they won in 1998 in Kuala Lampur.
Jessica Nicole scored the winner while Krystal Forgesson missed her attempt in the penalty shoot-out after the scores were tied 2-2 at the end of the regulation period and extra-time.
The defending champions, ranked one rung over New Zealand at six, were tested by their gritty trans-Tasman rivals in the high-intensity clash played before a sizeable crowd at the sun-baked Major Dhyan Chand stadium.
The victory -- Australia's first in a major tournament after their gold in the 2006 Melbourne Games -- turned out to be a sweet send-off for coach Frank Murray, who is set to quit after the event.
It was Nicole who put Australia in the lead in the ninth minute after converting a penalty corner with a searing drag-flick that tore past Kiwi keeper Beth Jurgeleit.
The Kiwis missed a close chance to level the scores shortly before the end of the first-half with Anna Thorpe failing to put the ball in despite having just the goalkeeper to beat.
But New Zealand bounced back in the second-half and scored the equaliser through striker Samantha Harrison who converted a short corner off a rebound in the 48th.
Australia struck again to take a 2-1 lead after Asleigh Nelson converted a penalty in the 59th, only to see the Kiwis level the scores just at the final hooter off a Clarissa Eshuis strike.
It was New Zealand's best Games result, eclipsing the bronze medal they won in 1998 in Kuala Lampur.
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