In a ding-dong battle for supremacy, New Zealand beat arch rivals Australia; the defending World champions and hosts by a mere 5 goals in the Netball World Cup Pool A last league match played at Allphones Arena on Sunday afternoon.
They thus taking revenge of the two losses in the finals of the previous two World Cup editions and gave a sign to the other teams that they are here in Sydney to carry away the World Netball crown along with the Gold Medal.
More than 16,000 fans from both countries flocked to the Sydney Olympic Park for the much anticipated clash between the two netball giants in the world.
As the first whistle was blown neither of the team could not break the goal for goal deadlock. From the 47th second onwards both teams scored on after the other and the score was deadlocked until the 11th minute.
From there onwards New Zealand gained the lead and at the end of the first quarter the score read 15 goals to 12 in favour of New Zealand.
In the second quarter once again both teams played their heart out and both teams matched each other by having the score of the quarter deadlocked at 14 all. However New Zealand were leading at half time with a margin of 3 goals they gained in the first quarter.
Half time NZ 29 – Aus. 26
The third quarter saw both teams playing a bit of slow but steady and the New Zealanders once again led in this quarter with 11-8. NZ 40 – Aus. 34.
The last quarter saw both teams showing their power to rout each other but when the final whistle was blown the final quarter score was 13 goals to 12 in favour of Australia. But New Zealand won the match with the final score reading 52 goals to 47.
The result did not have much impact as both teams had already qualified to play in the top 8 league round.
Singapore dethrowned by Malawi
Malawi displayed yet another wonderful play to beat the Asian champions Singpore by 75 goals to 31 in a Pool C match in Allphones Arena at the Sydney Olympic Pard on day 3 of the 14th Netball World Cup.
With this win Malawi the only unbeaten in Pool C qualified to play in the top 8 league round. South Africa too move to the next phase with two wins and one loss.
Singapore goal keeper Quingyi Lin who was 10 centimeter shorter than the goal shooter Mwayi Kumwenda of Malawi tried her level best to contend the highest goal scorer so far in the tournament. However Malawi led the first quarter by 21 goals to 10 and the following quarter 21 goals to 5 to give them 42 to 15 lead during the half time.
A comprehensive lead during the half time Malawi opted to rest Kumwenda in the third quarter. But the Malawians once again took the quarter by 17 to 8 and score stood at 59 – 23.
Kumwenda came back in the last quarter and Malawi once againg led the last quarter too with 16 goals to 8.
For Malawi Mwayi Kumwenda potted 39 out of 43, Sindi Simtowe 23 out of 24, Jane Chimaliro 7 out of 7 and Joyce Mvula 6 out of 9.
Singapore got their goal through Charmain Soh 23/31, Huifen Chen 5/10 and Mei Ling Yu 3/4.
Day 3 results (Aug. 09, 2015)
Pool A
Trinidad & Tobago 55 bt barbados 39
Pool B
England 85 bt Samoa 34
Pool D
Wales 71 bt Zambia 44
