Black Sticks sides open World Cup's with defeats
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Black Sticks men and women have opened their campaigns at their respective 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup tournamens with losses to the host nations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The men were in Amstelveen, taking on the Netherlands at Wagener Stadium in the first game of the tournament
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New Zealand made a strong start taking the lead through James Hickson, who reacted quickest to a rebound to go 1-0 ahead.
The lead held through to halftime, but the Netherlands responded strongly after the break, using the energy of their home crowd to take control of the second half and eventually secure a 1-5 victory.
The women's team took to the field against Belgium in Wavre.
New Zealand also struck first, with Katie Doar making a memorable return to international hockey.
Playing her first match for the Black Sticks in more than two years, Doar fired home a powerful forehand from a penalty corner breakdown to score her forth international goal.
Belgium responded with two goals in the opening quarter before adding another in the second to take a 1-3 lead into halftime. Keeper Grace O’Hanlon was again instrumental in keeping New Zealand in the contest with several outstanding saves.
The Black Sticks came out firing in the third quarter, with Paige Blake producing a piece of individual skill before finding Hannah Cotter at the top of the circle. Cotter unleashed a powerful reverse-stick strike into the goal to bring New Zealand back within one at 2-3.
Belgium ultimately found two late goals to secure a 2-5 victory, but there were plenty of positives for the Vantage Black Sticks to take from the performance.
Both Black Sticks teams now turn their attention to their second pool matches, with the men facing Japan and the women taking on Ireland.
New Zealand Goal Scorers: MEN
24' James Hickson - Field Goal
New Zealand Goal Scorers: WOMEN
4' Katie Doar - Penalty Corner Goal
33' Hannah Cotter - Field Goal
