Hockey: Victory boosts Black Sticks' hopes for Games

Black Sticks coach Mark Hager. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Black Sticks finished their World Cup campaign on a high with a thoroughly deserved 3-0 win over China in the playoff for seventh. China went into the tournament in Argentina ranked three in the world - four places higher than New Zealand.

Argentina won the final, beating the Netherlands 3-1 yesterday.

Looking ahead to next month's Commonwealth Games, New Zealand captain Kayla Sharland and her young team, can now back themselves as realistic medal chances with only England and Australia of Commonwealth nations ahead of them in Rosario.

Black Sticks coach Mark Hager rated the first 20 minutes of the playoff with China as his team's best of the World Cup. It must rate alongside the opening half of the game against Australia in which New Zealand really tested the higher-rated Hockeyroos.

"I thought our first 20 minutes was the best we have played in this tournament," said Hager. "Our defenders were calm and collected, whereas in the rest of the tournament their play tended to be reactive. From that point of view it was pleasing to see the improvement they have made here."

"Coming here our goal was to be in the top eight. Obviously, we would have liked to have finished higher. This team is learning and I hope they will get better over the next couple of years. I hope they will be medal contenders [at the Olympics] in 2012 and beyond," said Hager. "It was fantastic to play in front of a crowd tonight after the pool matches in which we didn't have large crowds."

The match was delayed by 90 minutes because of rain and finished in rain and thunder and lightning.

Once in action, the New Zealanders wasted no time in taking control.

Krystal Forgesson smashed the ball home from the edge of the penalty area after just two minutes to claim her sixth goal of the tournament.

Eleven minutes later with Chinese captain Fu Baorong in the sinbin, Charlotte Harrison, on her knees, thrust her stick out to steer a Katie Glynn cross home for her first goal at the Cup.

With Sharland again controlling the midfield and enjoying solid support from Emily Naylor and, on defence, Stacey Michelsen and Clarissa Eshuis, the Black Sticks went to the break - after a half in which no penalty corners were forced - 2-0 ahead.

The Black Sticks had three early penalty corners in the second spell but failed to score. Five minutes from time and with only one success from 20 earlier such opportunities, they scored from a penalty corner with Eshuis netting her first of the tournament for 3-0.

"With this finish, I hope it will get us some funding both for the team and individuals," said Hager.

Sharland, too, was happy to take a second win. "I think we have matured over the tournament. Players who haven't played a lot did a really good job tonight."