Match Report | Oceania Cup to go down to a decider after Hockeyroos pip New Zealand 1-0 in second match

The Oceania Cup is going the distance for the Australian and New Zealand women. Under the fierce Darwin afternoon sun, with World Cup qualification hanging by a thread, the Hockeyroos dug deep to edge New Zealand 1–0 and set up a winner‑takes‑all showdown tomorrow that promises to be pure theatre.

The Oceania Cup is live and free on 7plus. Tickets are available from Ticketek - kids 12 and under get in free. The first 150 people through the gates will receive a free goodie bag thanks to Hockey Australia partners. The event program is available here.

It was a contest of grit, patience and persistence — and when the breakthrough finally came, it was worth the wait.

In her 50^th international appearance, goalkeeper Aleisha Power marshalled a watertight defence that refused to yield — not even a single penalty corner to the Black Sticks. Australia came out firing, forcing two set pieces inside three minutes, but New Zealand keeper Grace O’Hanlon was also immense in the goals.

The match became a tactical arm‑wrestle. Morgan Mathison’s craft and Amy Lawton’s drive prised open half‑chances, only for New Zealand’s fearless penalty corner runners to block shot after shot.

With World Cup direct qualification hopes on the line, the deadlock broke in the 56th minute during Australia’s 10th penalty corner when a low flick from Claire Colwill found Mariah Williams at the post for a deft deflection over O’Hanlon. The series now heads to a high‑stakes decider.

It was a win that Colwill felt her team deserved after a well-fought battle.

“It was definitely quite hot, both teams felt it. But we were on the front foot from the beginning so we tried to maintain that for the full 60 minutes,” Colwill said.

“Coming off game one, we learnt about what they (New Zealand) were trying to do and how we could manipulate that.

“I think how we played today was quite clinical. We’re going to bring that same intent tomorrow and be quite deliberate about what we’re trying to do and continue to focus on our game.”

Set‑Piece Standoff

This was a battle of wills at the top of the circle. Australia’s persistence was admirable, but so too was New Zealand’s bravery. The visitor’s penalty corner runners threw themselves into the line of fire, blocking countless direct attempts with a tight, disciplined running line that shielded their O’Hanlon’s goal. The Hockeyroos shifted penalty corner castles and rotated between options for Colwill and Tatum Stewart, but in the end, victory was clinched with a clever variation that is becoming something of a signature move for Williams.

Creative Step Forward

In Game One, Australia’s attack was punished by a ruthless counter‑attack by New Zealand. This time, there was greater spark: Morgan Mathison and Grace Young’s forays forward and Alice Arnott’s 3D skills all carved out better quality opportunities for the Hockeyroos to assert their dominance. While the final pass and finish eluded them often, the signs were far more promising heading into the decider on Sunday night.

Defensive Discipline

For Power’s milestone match, the Hockeyroos’ backline delivered a defensive masterclass. Karri Sommerville, Tatum Stewart and Lucy Sharman led allcomers to limit New Zealand’s looks on goal and snuffed out New Zealand star Olivia Shannon’s threat. It was the perfect platform for a clean sheet on a special afternoon for their keeper.

The Hockeyroos will play the now deciding match against the NZ Vantage Black Sticks women tomorrow, Sunday 7 September, 2:00 pm ACST LIVE and free on 7Plus from MWT Hockey Centre, Darwin.

All Kookaburras and Hockeyroos matches can be watched live and free on 7Plus.

See the Hockeyroos 2025 Oceania Cup Squad here.

See the Kookaburras 2025 Oceania Cup Squad here.

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