Late goal denies semifinal spot

PHOTO/FILE

Heartbreak came with a vow at the Under-15 national hockey championships in Christchurch yesterday afternoon as the over-achieving Wanganui team went down 2-1 in the dying minutes of their quarter-final with Poverty Bay.

Having qualified second while unbeaten in Pool D after a points countback, Wanganui had fancied their chances against the top side from Pool A and were locked 1-1 at halftime following a Ryan Gray goal.

However with two minutes left Poverty Bay got a lob ball over the Wanganui keeper for a potentially contentious deciding score, although disappointed coach Andrew Spence chose to be diplomatic rather than criticise the officials.

"We were the better team and then against the run of play ... it just went against us.

"Each of the boys played for each other their best game of the tournament."

Having missed the semifinals, Wanganui will now enter the playoffs to decide 5th to 8th, playing Canterbury today before their final game tomorrow.

Spence said while the team is naturally very disappointed and will need a lift in their remaining games, most of them being eligible for the 2014 tournament means they can build on how far they have progressed up the national ladder.

"It will be hard [today] but we'll do our best down here.

"The self belief is there now."