Hockey: Argentina deliver humiliating lesson

Black Sticks' defender Clarissa Eshius shoots for goal. Photo / Ron Burgin.

The Black Sticks were dealt another harsh lesson in the reality of women's hockey at the highest level as they crashed against world champions Argentina last night.

The visitors wasted no time in shrugging off the disappointment of a first-up 1-1 draw.

New Zealand face a Herculean task if they are to turn it around and square the three-test series back at North Harbour Stadium tonight.

Too many simple, basic errors against the relentless South Americans exposed the home side who had hoped to celebrate Emily Naylor's 150th international in style.

After soaking up an initial Black Sticks foray, Argentina swept on to attack and were rewarded in just the fourth minute with a ridiculously easy goal as Rocio Gonzalez Canda dribbled across the face of the goal and tapped home.

Content to go back and around and mount their attacks from deep, often using fullback Maria Silvina D'Elia as their starting point, Argentina quickly impressed with their accuracy and clinical stick skills.

In attacking with menace, there was an air of inevitability that more was to come. From their first penalty corner after three New Zealand defenders failed to clear, D'Elia was unchallenged as she drove hard and low for 2-0 in the 15th minute. Six minutes later Delfina Merino pounced on a half clearance and smashed home a cracker.

Katie Glynn had the best chance for New Zealand but could not find the finish she wanted and succeeded only in being green-carded for questioning the umpire's call.

New Zealand appeared to have got one back in the opening minute of the second half when Charlotte Harrison blasted home only to have the goal, originally awarded, ruled out by the distant umpire.

Accepting the let-off, Argentina attacked, forced a penalty corner and just as quickly went 4-0 as captain Maria Barrionuevo dragged the ball inside the far post.

The Black Sticks did get one back in the 44th minute when, at her second attempt, Cath Finlayson beat goalkeeper Julia Simonassi from close range. It was but a short reprieve as the visitors hit back to again capitalise on a defensive bungle and hand Daniela Sruoga a simple passage to goal and a 5-1 lead with 23 minutes to play.

New Zealand had the chance to close the gap when they forced their first and second penalty corners but hardly threatened with either.

Down a player with Barrionuevo yellow-carded, the visitors forced a fifth penalty corner which, at a second attempt, Merino converted to complete the scoring. The home side forced four late penalty corners but without ever threatening to claim a late bonus in a gamein which six cards were flashed.

Argentina 6
New Zealand 1