Black Sticks out-scrapped by Australia at Champions Trophy

It was a frustrating day for the Black Sticks Women who were beaten 3-1 by Australia at the Hockey Champions Trophy in London.

The Black Sticks were rattled by an early goal and struggled to convert attack into scoring chances, with Anita McLaren scoring her sides only goal from a penalty corner.

Trailing by one goal at halftime, the Kiwis were well in the game but suffered from two yellow cards awarded in the final 15 minutes.

Kelsey Smith was marched for five minutes in the 45th minute before Pippa Hayward copped a 10 minute sit down in the 47th minute for a foul she didnt commit - video replays showing the card was given on a seemingly clean slide tackle from Olivia Merry.

Head coach Mark Hager said it was a frustrating result and they need to improve going into a must-win match against Great Britain on Wednesday.

"At the end of the day youre not going to win with nine or 10 players, and we had a few cards in that game which really stopped us building momentum," he said.

"Its our fault, we had chances up front but werent clinical in our finishing and then didnt stop the Aussies well enough in defence.

"Our girls fought to the end, but again if youre not clinical in the attacking circle it makes it hard to win games. Weve got to be better so we will go away and improve ahead of our next match."

Australia opened the scoring in just the second minute when Emily Smith pounced on a long crash ball into the circle, slipping a shot over the head of goalkeeper Sally Rutherford.

The Black Sticks responded immediately winning a penalty corner from the restart with McLaren firing a rocket into the top left of the net.

A lapse in concentration early in the second quarter gifted the Hockeyroos a penalty corner of their own which Jodie Kenny put low and left past Rutherfords foot, giving them the lead once more.

Grace Stewart extended the lead for Australia in the 40th minute after receiving a great pass from Georgie Parker and remaining composed to beat Rutherford one-on-one in her second attempt.

Tomorrow is a rest day at the Hockey Champions Trophy before the Black Sticks take on Great Britain at 7am on Wednesday (NZ time), with live coverage on SKY Sport 2.

In other day two results in London, Argentina secured an emphatic 4-1 win over USA and the Netherlands defeated Great Britain 2-0.

BLACK STICKS 1: (Anita McLaren)

AUSTRALIA 3: (Emily Smith, Jodie Kenny, Grace Stewart)

Halftime: Australia 2-1



- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ