Hockey: Black Sticks need to rally for Dutch clash

Jasmin McQuinn of the Black Sticks. Photo / Getty Images

It will not get any easier for the New Zealand women's hockey team when they step out against the world's top-ranked Dutch for their second game at the World Cup in Rosario, Argentina, tomorrow morning.

The Black Sticks must bounce back from their opening 2-0 loss to world No 4 Germany while the Netherlands go into the second-round clash on a high after swamping India 7-1 as penalty corner expert Maartje Paumen slammed home a hat-trick.

Therein is a warning for Kayla Sharland and her team. They conceded eight penalty corners but, thankfully for the New Zealanders, the Germans converted only one - for a 2-0 lead, with a second goal in less than three minutes early in the first half.

In contrast, the Black Sticks had only two such opportunities but had both kept out by impressive goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds.

After being forced to defend early, New Zealand conceded a field goal in the 15th minute when one of the world's best, German midfielder Natascha Keller, split their defence with a great run to set up Celine Wilde, who got her stick waist-high to steer the ball home.

Two minutes later, from their third penalty corner, Germany doubled their lead with a low Tina Bachmann drag flick which beat goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit's despairing dive.

The Germans, with Keller a constant threat, continued to dominate the first spell but the Black Sticks showed more in the second with some sound counter-attacking which often stretched Germany's defence.

Only some wayward finishing cost the New Zealanders the goal, or goals, they were looking for. Gemma Flynn had three good chances but could not convert her good work into goals while Krystal Forgesson and Katie Glynn also had at least half-chances.

New Zealand coach Mark Hager was again frustrated.

"I am disappointed to create so many chances and not put them away. Having the inability to finish was the biggest disappointment. We have to put chances away," said Hager. "I think that is the biggest difference between us and Germany, Australia, and Argentina is that these teams have a clinical ability to finish."

Sharland also expressed regret.

"At least we created chances," she said. "But we need to be more technical in the circle. We also gave up too many corners."

In the other pool A match, world No 5 Australia held on to beat ninth-ranked Japan 2-1. New Zealand play Japan on Saturday.