Hockey: Conversion rate worries coach

Mark Hager. Photo / Dean Purcell

Failing to match the world's best in converting penalty corners will continue to cost the New Zealand women's hockey team.

While reasonably happy with the Blacks Sticks' seventh placing at the World Cup in Argentina, coach Mark Hager admits the lack of success with drag-flicking at penalty corners was a let down.

New Zealand were awarded 22 such scoring opportunities in their six games but converted only two.

"You are never going to win tournaments with a conversion rate like that," said Hager.

"Teams aim for about a 30 per cent success rate from corners. We managed only nine."

Hager has identified that as one area he will look closely at in the National Hockey League.

"We need to produce more players capable of drag-flicking both from a scoring point of view and in putting pressure on Clarissa Eshuis, who is the best [drag flickers] we have at the moment."

Apart from this inability to score from set play, Hager pointed to his team's lack of consistency as the reason they did not reach their goal of a top-six finish.

"It was a bit frustrating. We played some good hockey at times but then let ourselves down.

"We should have got points off Germany but we let it slip. Against China we were very good in the first half but could not put the ball in the goal."

The new rules surrounding green and yellow cards made for some interesting statistics especially in the number of goals scored when teams had a player in the sinbin.

"On attack we have to learn to make the most of that advantage while on defence when we are a player down we have to survive better.

"Against Australia we had nine minutes when we were down to 10 and they made the most of that."

Hager's attention now turns to the Commonwealth Games.

He still sees England as the favourites with Australia a close second. The bronze medal remains firmly in his sights.

"If there is to be a surprise it could be Scotland," said Hager who will put the Black Sticks out against first Wales, then Canada, Malaysia and England.

"We have a pretty good idea about our opposition and will take some heart from the 2-2 draw we had in our only game against England [at the Champions Trophy] this year."