New Delhi, 16 April 2015: The quarter final match between India and New Zealand was an exciting clash as both teams gave a tough fight as they defended well and even maintained a good attack on each other in the entire game. It was India who drew first blood as they successfully scored a penalty corner but New Zealand struck back with no looking back as they went on to score 4 goals and won the match 4-1.

First quarter and six minutes into the game, India was awarded their first penalty corner and a clever variation by India helped Ritu Rani to put the ball into the nets leaving the host team stunned. New Zealand in their bid to bounce back into the game got their first the very next minute as Petrea Webster successfully slammed the ball for a goal. Post their first goal New Zealand had another chance at penalty corner and an opportunity to take the lead in the game but was defended well by the Indians to avert the danger.

India maintained good attack in the second quarter as they gave a few jittery moments to the opponents but somehow was unable to convert the chances. Two minute into the second quarter the Indian team had a penalty corner in their name but missed. Two minutes left into the quarter, New Zealand managed to break the defence chain of India to put the ball into the nets, going on to take the lead in the game 2-1.

The third quarter was a story of attacks and misses as both teams tried to score. While India was looking at equalizing, New Zealand’s aim was to increase the goal score further. As the quarter drew to an end and seemed that it would end in a dry run, New Zealand scored the third goal in the 29th minute and taking the end of third session score to 3-1. The fourth quarter India maintains their attack but failed to capitalize. In the 55th minute New Zealand added one more to their tally as Ella Gunson scored a field goal and sealed India’s fate in the match.

India’s clash will be decided post today’s match of USA vs. Korea.

The matches will be LIVE Streamed on www.hockeyfestival.nz.