Classy Argentinians stick it to young New Zealand side

Argentina were too slick in their second test against a youthful Black Sticks' side at Whangarei, dominating the match and securing a series win ahead of the third test today  at Pukekohe's Rosa Birch Park.
The world's second-ranked team took the Kiwi girls by surprise during their first encounter on Friday night with their execution and pace of play, when they hit the turf at ITM Rosvall Stadium.
In their second match on Saturday, bolstered by another night's rest following their long flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina outclassed a sluggish Black Sticks side to win 4-1.
"I didn't think we were anywhere near where we needed to be," coach Mark Hager said after the match.
"We were outplayed in the first half and we were turning over the ball too much when we transitioned from defence to attack."
Defence let the Black Sticks down during the first test but on Saturday, their attack was their downfall.
The Black Sticks' strikers struggled to find the same space they created during Friday's high scoring 7-4 loss to the South Americans, who stepped up their defensive marking noticeably.
"We didn't hit too many attempts during the first half but we hit a few in the last 10 minutes - but by then the game was well and truly over," Hager said.
Penalty corner execution was a key feature in the visitor's play on Saturday; they converted three of the seven corners awarded.
The first Argentinian corner conversion came in the 12th minute after Noel Barrionuevo nailed a direct strike after an initial dummy.
Their only field goal was scored by Luciana Aymar, in the 47th minute, after a signature weaving run.
In the second half, Barrionuevo converted another corner through a strong drag flick and Rosario Luchetti finished the second phase of a corner in the 49th minute for Argentina's final goal.
The Black Sticks were rewarded for their hard work with 14 minutes to go, when Gemma Flynn tapped home a rebound from a direct penalty corner strike.
Several other promising opportunities arose for the Black Sticks during the second half, but unlike Friday's match, they couldn't quite get the final touch.
Aymar was Argentina's standout player, while for the Black Sticks, Anna Thorpe played well up front, Stacy Carr was dogged in the midfield and Clarissa Eshuis and Kate Mahon were solid defensively.
Hager was disappointed none of his players "really stood up and took the game by the scruff of its neck".
The third test will be played tonight at Pukekohe in Auckland, game starts at 6.30pm.