FIH Nations Cup Glory A Big Boost for New Zealand Eves After Missing 1st Olympic Qualification in 28 Years!

New Zealand women’s hockey was going through a ‘low’ after missing out on qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics – it was the first time in 28 years since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The Olympic non-qualification was seen a ‘big setback’ for New Zealand (barring the 2021 Tokyo Olympics where they had finished 8th) have been considered a medal-contender opponent having reached the semifinals of the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics, narrowly missing on a podium finish, especially in the 2012 edition where they had lost the semifinal to the mighty Netherlands in a shootout after honours were shared in regulation time.

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Given this scenario New Zealand hockey eves corning glory in the 2024-25 FIH Nations Cup at Santiago is a massive boost for them as it would pave the way for their return to the Pro League (for the 2025-26 edition). Of course, there are question marks whether they would be part of the 2025-26 Pro League simply because their men counterparts had won the 2023-24 FIH Nations Cup but gave the 2024-25 Pro League a miss largely owing to huge travelling among others costs involved in featuring in the league. For the record, New Zealand men were replaced for the 2024-25 Pro League by Ireland because 2023-24 FIH Nations Cup runners-up France also declined to be part of the league.

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It is worth recalling that New Zealand hockey eves had withdrawn once from the 2021-22 Pro League owing to Covid-19 travel-related restrictions. Whether the Black Sticks eves features in the 2025-26 Pro League remains to be seen but there is no denying the fact that the 2023-24 FIH Nations Cup triumph was just what the doctor ordered for Phil Burrows-coached New Zealand women’s team.

The black brigade are rebuilding after the retirements of ace forward Olivia Merry and midfielder Samantha Child – the side was also missing the presence of defender Megan Hull and Frances Davies as well as midfielder Liz Thompson.At Santiago, the Black Sticks eves featuring three players – goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon, captain & forwards Olivia Shannon and Hannah Cotter – who were part of the inaugural Hockey India League, brought their fighting attributes to the fore in their FIH Nations Cup opener against South Korea where they were left to do catching up for most part, and trailed 2-4 in the closing minutes of the third quarter when they mounted a resilient comeback with Holly Pearson and Riana Pho together scoring three goals to pull off a 5-4 win in an edge-of-the-seat thriller.

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New Zealand women were dealt a bit of blow as they lost to Ireland by a solitary goal but made amends with a 3-1 win over Scotland in another come-from-behind final pool tie to secure their passage to the semifinal. The Black Sticks eves were made to fight hard by hosts Chile as both teams played three goalless quarters as scoring once against each other in the opening quarter. New Zealand women again had to take the shootout route in the final against Ireland (winning 4-2) after being locked 1-1 in normal time. The final win was also about exacting sweet revenge for their defeat in the pool stage.

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The 2024-25 FIH Nations Cup glory must be a fantastic development for Black Sticks eves and they can prepare for the 2026 World Cup with loads of confidence under their belt.

Image Credit: FIH