Kiwis warm up for Britain with eight-goal rout of Russians

Bill Colwill
Tuesday 28 March 2000 00:00 BST
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New Zealand, Great Britain's opponents this evening, beat Russia 8-0 here yesterday to record their first win of the Olympic qualifying tournament.

The result might suggest the Kiwis have at last found the form which deserted them both in the 4-0 defeat by Japan and the goalless draw with China. However, the Russian performance was poor and after they had conceded two early goals in the opening 10 minutes their discipline fell apart.

Mandy Smith and Kylie Foy scored hat-tricks and the New Zealand coach, Jan Borren, was pleased with his side's display although he will no doubt be concerned that only two goals were scored from 15 penalty corners. Of tonight's game Borren said: "Britain will be a huge task. They have skill and are playing well."

Germany played out a goalless first half with India, but their 28-year-old captain, Katrin Kauschke, scored two late goals in a 4-0 victory. "When you miss so many first-half chances you get nervous, but it eventually came good," said Kauschke. "We are not used to the Indian style of play. They pack their defence and leave their front-runners high with little in midfield. It is then difficult to get the ball through."

The Germans took the lead at their first penalty corner of the second half in the 39th minute through Britta Becker, and after that there was little doubt about the outcome. Nadine Ernsting-Krienke showed perseverance to put Germany further ahead in the 47th minute, then Heike Latzsch collected a pass from Natascha Keller and went on a penetrating run to provide Kauschke with the first of her two goals.

The Indians had made Germany look very ordinary in the first half, and were kept out by some brave goalkeeping from the captain, Tingonleima Chanu.

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