Black Sticks’ playoff loss delays Cup qualification

The men’s Black Sticks have finished a disappointing World League Semifinal campaign in sixth place after losing their last classification match 1-0 to Ireland in Johannesburg.

The match was scoreless until 11 minutes from the end when Alan Sothern put the ninth-ranked Irish in front.

New Zealand created some quality scoring opportunities over the final 10 minutes as they fought for an equaliser but weren’t able to cross the Irish line.

The result sees Ireland secure the final automatic qualification spot at the tournament for next year’s World Cup in India.

New Zealand, ranked eighth, will now need to take a different route to qualify for the Cup, with their next opportunity through the Oceania Cup during October 11-15 in Sydney.

Australia have already taken their place at the 16-nation tournament in Bhubaneswar and New Zealand should still qualify, needing only to finish ahead of lowly Papua New Guinea in Sydney.

Still, it was an outcome they didn’t need to rely on and suggests New Zealand need to sharpen up under new coach Darren Smith.

The match was midfielder Shea McAleese’s 250th international.

New Zealand finished the tournament with two wins, one draw and four losses, the key one being the quarter-final against Belgium, who played Germany in the final early today.

The Black Sticks drew 3-3 with France, beat Japan 3-1, lost to Australia 2-1, then Spain 4-3 and Belgium 2-0 before beating Egypt 2-0 only to lose to Ireland.