The New Zealand men's hockey team are headed for the Last Chance Saloon in their bid to qualify for next year's Beijing Olympics but the women have no such worries after beating Australia 1-0 yesterday.
Beaten 3-1 by their nemesis Australia in yesterday's final of the Oceania qualifying
tournament in Buderim on Australia's Sunshine Coast, the Black Sticks men must prepare for February's qualifier at North Harbour at which one of six teams will win through to the Olympics.
Australia booked the direct route with their accomplished effort - their second win over the Ryan Archibald-led New Zealanders at the tournament after their 2-1 win in round-robin play.
The women, who were already on the road to the Olympics as the second-best team in Oceania but needed to show the New Zealand Olympic Committee they were worthy of that nomination, did so in style.
Level 0-0 at halftime, the Kevin Towns-coached, Lizzy Igasan-led team grabbed the only goal of the match with 15 minutes to play and held on to win - a result which left the second-ranked Australians far from happy.
"It has been a rough road but hard work always pays off," said Towns. "We had to put in a performance to show we were worthy of going to Beijing. We have done that.
"We are now seventh in the world by my reckoning."
The goal came after veteran Caryn Paewai carved through on a weaving run before feeding the ball to Aucklander Krystal Forgesson, who provided the finishing touch.
Towns is looking ahead and will watch as many NHL games as he can, starting this weekend in Hamilton.
"Korea want to come to New Zealand for three weeks in May and China have invited us there in May," said Towns.
"They are part of a programme we already have in place."
Men's coach Shane McLeod, who went into the tournament with a degree of confidence, took some heart from the results.
"We now have a harder road but I am confident of success."
