Sofia laurito

Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro: Two late penalty corner conversions helped New Zealand overcome Italy 3-0 in the opening Pool B match in the women's FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Stadium here on Saturday.

Frances Davies scored a brace off penalty corners and Stephanie Dickins struck the third with a direct attempt off a short corner as New Zealand started their campaign on winning note. However, they were not at their fluent best.

New Zealand dominated possession (57% to 43%) made 18 circle penetrations to just seven by the Italians, had 15 shots on target as compared to only two by their rivals and earned seven penalty corners, converting three of them, as against two by Italy.