Match Report | Hockeyroos look ahead to next World Cup qualification event after being beaten by NZ in Oceania Cup

A VNR with Hockeyroo, Grace Stewart following today's match can be found here.

The Hockeyroos will need to wait to early next year to seek qualification for the 2026 FIH Women’s World Cup after being beaten New Zealand in a tough penalty shootout game, 1-1 (3-5) in the Oceania Cup.

Two proud hockey nations went toe‑to‑toe across three gripping matches, with New Zealand ultimately lifting the Oceania Cup in Darwin and booking their direct entry to next year's World Cup.

In the decider, the Hockeyroos — resplendent in their ochre First Nations strip — struck first just before half‑time when Morgan Mathison, in her 17th cap, smashed home her maiden international goal from a pinpoint Kaitlin Nobbs feed. It capped a dominant second quarter led by captain Grace Stewart and goalkeeper Aleisha Power.

But the Black Sticks, back‑stopped by the outstanding Grace O’Hanlon, refused to yield. Hannah Gravenall’s deft fourth‑quarter deflection from their seventh penalty corner levelled the scores at 1‑1, sending the series to a shootout.

There, NZ captain Olivia Shannon twice converted from the penalty spot — opening the scoring and sealing the win — while her teammates were faultless in a 3‑5 triumph. The result guarantees New Zealand’s place in the World Cup and places Australia into a high‑stakes qualifying tournament early next year.

Hockeyroo, Grace Stewart said the team were disappointed, knowing they can be better.

“It’s disappointing because we did what we wanted to do today, we put it to them and created opportunities, but we just didn’t put them away. I guess that’s where we need to go back to Perth, get better and build on those connections to score goals,” Stewart said.

“We knew coming into this they (New Zealand) would be a fierce opponent. They stuck to what they wanted to do, they love a counter (attack) and they took their opportunities when they had them.

“We were throwing it at them, they were just very solid in defence. We had a couple of variations that paid off but credit to them, they ran really good lines and were really strong.

“Whilst its disappointing we won't go directly there (to the World Cup), we’ll go the roundabout way - getting more international games under our belt with a new young team is an awesome opportunity for us.”

Fine Margins

Australia earned 20 penalty corners in the series, and the final game saw their stats sheet reflect even sharper circle entries, clever re‑directs, and a licence to shoot early. Yet the final touch proved elusive to evading Black Stick, O’Hanlon’s goal who landed her second Player of the Match recognition for the series — a costly gap in a match of fine margins.

Courage Under Fire

Defensive penalty corner running is an art form and in protecting a 1-0 advantage, the Hockeyroos twice faced sustained New Zealand pressure in the form of three consecutive Black Sticks penalty corners. On both occasions, fearless running from Hockeyroos, Grace Stewart and Karri Somerville shut the door, protecting Power’s goal with textbook bravery and discipline for the opening six attempts. The Black Sticks countered, however, with a well-rehearsed deflection to Gravenall as the only way past the defences.

Creative sparks

Mathison’s breakthrough goal was a highlight, building upon a string of noteworthy individual performances in defensive midfield where she looked assured and capable of pushing forward to positive effect. After a tournament where several chances went begging, coach Katrina Powell may revisit other options to find more sparks that might catch fire, while first‑choice keeper Jocelyn Bartram continues to make her way back from injury. A string of head turning Hockey One League performances this season may also give coach Katrina Powell both welcome depth and tough selection decisions ahead of the Hockeyroos’ next qualification event early in 2026.

For more information about the 2025 Oceania Cup in Darwin, visit the Hockey Australia website here.

The 2025 Oceania Cup is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government, through the Northern Territory Major Events Company.

Oceania Cup 2025 Match Schedule

MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara, Darwin