The Black Sticks men celebrate their penalty shootout victory over Australia. File photo / PMF Sports Images
New Zealand need to pick themselves up smartly after a tough start to the International Challenge men's hockey tournament in Hobart tonight.
The seventh-ranked Black Sticks were outclassed 3-0 by world No 1 Australia, barely getting a shot on goal and failing to register a single penalty corner.
Their goals
came from Chris Ciriello, from a penalty corner, Kiel Brown, four minutes before halftime, and Jeremy Hayward, also with a penalty corner nine minutes after the restart.
New Zealand were well off their game. Too often possession was given away as New Zealand pressed forward. Australia were more assertive and were able to outmuscle New Zealand too often in the exchanges.
The result meant Australia have won all three of their games so far, following 6-0 and 7-0 beatings of Pakistan and Korea respectively.
