Barbora cazhakova

Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro: New Zealand struck twice in the final three minutes for a last-gasp victory against the Czech Republic that salvaged some pride for the Black Sticks, who had failed to reach the semifinals after losing to hosts India and the United States in the women's FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers here on Thursday.

Held goalless by the 25th-ranked Czech Republic for most of the match, New Zealand, ranked 11th in FIH Rankings, got the goal they were desperately looking for in the 57th minute when Katie Doar deflected home a shot by Samantha Child from close to make it 1-0 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro-Turf Hockey Stadium here.

Samantha, who returned to action in August last year, seven months after undergoing an emergency caesarean for the birth of her twins, Louie and Freddie, secured the victory in the last minute when she scored a fine field goal to make it 2-0 for the Black Sticks.