Hockey: Punt impressive in encouraging finish to World Cup

Anita Punt in action. Photo / Christine Cornege

Midfielder Anita Punt capped off a strong tournament with a stellar display to help New Zealand round off the World Cup with a 4-0 win over China in The Hague.

The result means the Black Sticks finished fifth, matching their world ranking.

Punt scored twice from penalty corner shots, was full of running and a constant threat to the Chinese defence.

The other goals came from captain Kayla Whitelock, with a penalty stroke, and striker Krystal Forgesson, who scored with a clever overhead shot.

Her five goals at the tournament left Punt equal third top scorer, while Forgesson finished with three goals.

Even allowing for the encouraging finish to the cup, New Zealand were left wondering what if. They won two, lost two and drew one of their pool games.

Had they not lost 1-0 to Korea in a game they had targeted to win, they would have made the semifinals.

"It's a bit of a hollow feeling," coach Mark Hager said. "We let one slip in the pool round against Korea, but I'm very pleased to finish the way we did.

"One thing our team is striving for is not just to participate, we want to play in finals and I think we grew over the tournament but still have a bit to go. While we're disappointed, we are pleased to have got the result today to finish in the top six."

The benefit out of the tournament was giving a younger group of players plenty of game time. The likes of strikers Sophie Cocks and Michaela Curtis, and defender Liz Thompson Dennison, will have benefited from the experience.

World No 1 the Netherlands won the final 2-0 against Australia while Argentina beat the United States 2-1 to finish third.

The men's Black Sticks finished their campaign against Spain last night, playing for seventh and eighth places.