Fresh from a 5-0 series win over Korea, New Zealand were brought down to earth when they were beaten 2-0 by Japan in the first women's hockey test at Auckland today.
Coach Mark Hager had made a number of changes to his squad for the five-match Japan series including promotingtwo players from the national development group.
"Basic skill levels were poor and the Black Sticks didn't allow enough passages of passes which led to the ball being turned over," Hager said after the match.
Japan, ranked ninth in the world to New Zealand's seventh, were the more aggressive side, muscling the first penalty corner of the match midway through the first half, the shot deflected by Bianca Russell in goal.
New Zealand created two chances with a near miss by Samantha Harrison whose shot was blocked by the Japan goalkeeper and a Laura Douglas shot from a penalty corner came close shaving the top of the goal.
Misato Katamine scored Japan's openeing goal in the 34th minute, when she received a pass from the baseline and calmly pushed it into the far corner of the goal.
In the second half, the Black Sticks had to weather more pressure from their opponents who kept possession for long periods.
As New Zealand continued to make unforced errors and miss chances to score, Japan struck again in the 55th minute with Ai Murakami sending her drag flick from a penalty corner into the net.
Bridget Blackwood from Canterbury and Petrea Webster from North Harbour made their international debuts today.
"This was a good match to get their first game underway and they learnt a lot. Bridget showed composure with good penetration in the right half," Hager said.
Hamilton will host the second and third tests on Sunday and Monday with the series returning to North Harbour hockey Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday.
Scores
New Zealand 0Japan 2 (Misato Katamine, Ai Murakami). Halftime: 0-1.
