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Hockeyroos clinch series 1-0 against NZ

Justin ChadwickAAP
Stephanie Kershaw played a starring role for the Hockeyroos in the 3-1 win over New Zealand.
Camera IconStephanie Kershaw played a starring role for the Hockeyroos in the 3-1 win over New Zealand. Credit: AAP

The Hockeyroos have received a timely confidence boost ahead of the Tokyo Olympics with a 3-1 win over New Zealand in their Trans-Tasman series decider in Palmerston North.

The four-match series was tied at 0-0 following three consecutive draws, but the Hockeyroos came up trumps when it mattered most in Tuesday's decider.

Stand-in Hockeyroos captain Stephanie Kershaw put in a star display, with the forward scoring a goal and setting up another to help her team secure the win.

It was the Hockeyroos' first international series in almost 15 months and coach Katrina Powell was proud of her team's effort.

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"It's pretty pleasing. It's been a while since we've done that well against NZ, so pretty pleased to get the result," she said.

"All the games were really tight. So that one where you must win in a finals situation - it was really pleasing to see the character, the determination and the work ethic of the players to get the job done."

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There was heartbreak in the opening minutes when Black Sticks veteran Kayla Whitelock suffered what appeared to be a painful injury to her right knee, putting her Olympic hopes in grave doubt.

Kershaw opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when she shovelled the ball into the goal from a goalmouth scramble.

Hockeyroos striker Courtney Schonell appeared to have doubled the lead - only for her shot to hit the post and roll along the goalline before rebounding out.

Kershaw turned provider when the second goal eventually came, with her movement down on the baseline and subsequent flick setting up a goal for Kalindi Commerford at the far post.

NZ had a golden chance on the stroke of half-time to hit back, but Olivia Shannon couldn't get her stick down in time at the far post with the goal beckoning.

The Black Sticks had more disappointment early in the second half when Hope Ralph's goal was disallowed because the ball had bounced off her knee.

The home side reduced the margin to one goal midway through the third quarter when Olivia Merry squeezed through a strike after her first shot was saved.

But the two-goal buffer was restored five minutes later when Savannah Fitzpatrick rifled the bobbling ball into the far low corner.

World No.6 NZ dominated most of the key stats, posting 35 circle entries to 17, winning eight penalty corners to two and boasting 54 per cent possession.

But it was the clinical nature of the world No.5 Hockeyroos' attacks that proved the difference.

The teams will lock horns again later this month in a two-match series in Perth.

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