Finals loom at Vantage U18s
With a mix of exhilarating victories and heart-stopping comebacks, the Vantage National U18s tournaments are now down to the final four teams in both the men's and women's competitions.Despite freezing temperatures and snowfall in Dunedin, and challenging weather in Auckland, the players have been demonstrating their finest in skill, strategy, and teamwork.
Women's Semi-Finals
In Auckland, the women's teams have played some extraordinary hockey, setting the stage for the semi-final clashes.The Auckland A side advanced to the semi-finals with a remarkable performance against Canterbury B, scoring four second-half goals to secure a 5-0 win. They'll face Canterbury A, the tournament favourites and defending champions, in what promises to be a thrilling match-up.
Canterbury A displayed their prowess with a convincing 5-2 win over Taranaki.The other semi-final sees North Harbour A face Hawke's Bay.
North Harbour A are coming off an astounding win against Otago, in which they recovered from a 2-0 deficit in the final quarter to level the match before winning the ensuing shootout.
Hawke's Bay, on the other hand, enter the semi-finals with confidence after defeating Wairarapa 4-1.
Auckland take on Canterbury at Lloyd Elsmore Park at 12.45 and North Harbour vs Hawke’s Bay at 2.30pm.
The final day of matches (Saturday 8th) will be livestreamed on the Hockey NZ YouTube Channel.
Men's Semi-Finals
Down in Dunedin, the men's teams have been battling it out in a chilly backdrop of snow and frost.
Taranaki, fresh off a rampaging 7-2 victory over Hawke's Bay, faces Tauranga in the semi-finals.
Tauranga, equally dominant in their quarter-final match, also overpowered Waikato 7-2, with leading tournament goal scorer Aidan Bax scoring a remarkable five goals.
In an eagerly anticipated 'Battle of the Bridge', defending champions North Harbour A look set to take on Auckland A.
The former continued their quest for a three-peat with a composed 3-1 win over Wellington, scoring all their goals in an explosive eight-minute span at the end of the first half.
Auckland A, meanwhile, survived a nerve-wracking encounter with South Canterbury, taking an early 2-0 lead before being pegged back in the second quarter. They immediately re-took the lead but South Canterbury equalised with just 44 seconds remaining in the game after a tense second half. Auckland A held their nerve in the shootout, however, to secure their place in the semi-finals.
The men’s games are being live-streamed on the Hockey NZ YouTube Channel with Taranaki vs Tauranga at 1.30pm and North Harbour vs Auckland at 3.15pm.