Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod had sympathy for his Argentine counterpart Sergio Vigil and his players after yesterday's sudden-death Olympic eliminator.
While the 3-2 win catapulted world No 10 New Zealand into the Olympic tournament, seventh-ranked Argentina will not be in Beijing.
"I don't think that is right,"
said McLeod. "Just as we deserve to be there, so do they. The Olympics should be about having the 12 best teams. Obviously, this is not the case under the present qualification system."
Under the rules, some teams earn their right as continental qualifiers and as hosts. The last three spots are decided at qualifying tournaments - the first played here over the past week.
The two remaining tournaments will find the last two teams for Beijing but with India and Britain drawn at the same tournament another of the world's best will miss out.
"It's tough. It's wrong," said McLeod. "Argentina are good enough to be going [to the Olympics]. Teams like Belgium and Canada are going. It is not the top 12 teams in the world."
Yesterday's victory may well have prolonged the careers of a number of players with McLeod admitting that a lot of guys would have stopped their international careers without such a carrot. But nothing is certain.
McLeod was able to use 18 players here but must trim that to 16 for the Olympics.
Bryce Collins and Shea McAleese are sidelined by injury but should come into contention along with other players in the larger national squad.
"We went with our most experienced players here," said McLeod. "Now we have to sit down and have a good look at where to now."
Vigil, fighting back tears, warmly congratulated McLeod.
"I think both teams were fantastic. Either could have won. I have much respect for you [McLeod] and your players," said Vigil.
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