Commonwealth Games: Scotland draw 5-5 with New Zealand
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'Incredible scenes!' - New Zealand and Scotland draw thrilling hockey match
2022 Commonwealth Games |
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Hosts: Birmingham Dates: 28 July to 8 August |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV with extra streams on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app; Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra; live text and clips online. |
Scotland's men were denied a famous win as New Zealand fought back from a 5-1 half-time deficit to earn a draw on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games.
Scotland, ranked 19th in the world, were on course to beat the 2018 silver medallists after a stunning start.
New Zealand started the comeback with two minutes left in the third period, then scored three in six minutes at the start of the final quarter to draw.
Scotland's women opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over South Africa.
However, Wales lost 4-0 to Canada at the University of Birmingham hockey centre.
In the men's competition, England started with a routine 6-0 win over Games debutants Ghana in Pool B.
A hat-trick from Nick Bandurak, plus further goals from Phil Roper, Will Calnan and David Condon, illustrated England's dominance as they look to improve on winning bronze in 2010 and 2014.
England are expected to breeze through their group, but expectations are much lower for Scotland.
However, they almost caused a stunning shock against a nation who have a rich pedigree in the sport.
New Zealand have a relatively inexperienced squad in Birmingham with some key players missing, and they went into the Games opener having won just one of their previous 15 matches.
Nevertheless there was still surprise at the way Scotland managed to carve them apart in the Pool A encounter.
Rob Harwood, Callum McKenzie, Jamie Golden and Cammy Golden put Scotland into a 4-0 lead before New Zealand narrowed the gap through Kane Russell.
A cracking strike from Golden at another penalty corner restored the four-goal cushion before half-time and there looked little danger of a fightback as the third quarter neared to a close.
But Sam Lane gave hope to New Zealand and three more goals in the opening stages of the final quarter - from Jake Smith, Hugo Inglis and Sam Hiha - earned them a draw in a memorable match.
Scotland's women on the other side of a comeback
Scotland, ranked 17th in the world, beat world number 20 South Africa
After falling behind in the first quarter, Scotland's women produced a thrilling comeback in the Pool B match.
Charlotte Watson had put Scotland into an early lead against South Africa only for their opponents to hit back with two Lisa-Marie Deetlefs goals.
Chris Duncan's side levelled through captain Sarah Robertson after great play out wide from Millie Steiger.
They added a third when Fiona Burnet swept home in the third quarter, before Jennifer Eadie's deflected effort in the closing stages.
Elsewhere, reigning champions New Zealand thrashed Kenya 16-0 in their opener in Pool B while India beat Ghana 5-0 in Pool A.
Meanwhile, Wales' Sian French saw her first-quarter penalty stroke saved by Canada keeper Chloe Walton.
Canada then punished the miss with four unanswered goals.
Hannah Haughn opened the scoring with a superb solo effort in the first quarter before skipper Sara McManus netted from a penalty corner.
In the second half, Brienne Stairs scored twice as Canada cantered to their win in Pool A.