Black Sticks crash out of hockey World Cup
Chances blown and few more created in abrupt exit
New Zealand have paid a heavy price for their profligacy in front of goal at the women's hockey World Cup. The upshot is that they didn't even make the quarter-finals in London. From a world ranking of No 4, and as Commonwealth Games champions, that is a desperately poor return.
A 2-1 loss to 12th-ranked Japan in their second pool game ultimately proved crucial, while they had chances to beat old rivals Australia in their final match in the group which was drawn 1-1.
They had one piece of misfortune in the elimination game against third-ranked Argentina yesterday, a fluke event seasoned coach Mark Hager reckoned he had never seen before in a lifetime of hockey.
They had been right in the game, an end-toend entertaining contest until the 24th minute.
Goalkeeper Grace O'Hanlon made a fine save from a penalty corner, but her glove fell off and landed on the ball. Her second glove flew in front of an Argentina player about to shoot. Cue a penalty stroke and from that point on New Zealand were clearly second best in the 2-0 loss.
The Black Sticks had chances in the first half but didn't take them. Their game steadily subsided and they offered no real threat in front of goal in the second half.
“We weren't getting into circle to create a goal, or shot of any quality. That's the disappointing thing,” Hager said.
It was a miserable way to go out, especially having arrived with hopes of an impact after the Gold Coast. “We weren't clinical enough and, for whatever reason, didn't get up in the second half,” Hager said.
There will be some hefty soul-searching among the players about the campaign but also their future with the Tokyo Olympics two years away, but no rushed decisions.