Hockey: Black Sticks finish eighth at World Cup

The New Zealand men's hockey team has finished eighth at the World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany.

A disappointing second half of the tournament has ended in another loss for the Black Sticks.

They have been beaten 3-nil by the Netherlands in the seventh and eighth playoff match.

New Zealand could not convert the chances they had, while goal-keeper Kyle Pontifex kept them in the match with a number of superb saves.

England has ended in triumph.

Their 1-nil win over Pakistan has given them an unprecedented fifth place finish.

Meanwhile Japan and Argentina have avoided the wooden spoon match.

That fate belongs to South Africa and India.

Japan has beaten the South Africans 5-2, while India has once again let a lead slip, losing 3-2 to Argentina.

- NEWSTALK ZB