Hockey: Argentina hammer Black Sticks in final

Anita Punt of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

The Black Sticks bore the full brunt of a relentless performance from Argentina in the World League hockey final.

Argentina has hammered New Zealand 5-1 to win the gold medal in front of a capacity crowd at the newly-named Luciana Aymar Stadium in Rosario.

The home team scored twice in the second quarter with Maria Granatto opening Argentina's account shortly after the resumption, before Maria Campoy drilled in the second goal in the 29th minute off the back of a penalty corner.

Black Sticks skipper Anita Punt pulled one back for New Zealand with a stunning drag flick in the 34th minute.

But the home team soon restored their two-goal buffer with Campoy picking up her second goal, after Delfina Merino drew Rutherford out of position before slipping it back to Campoy who fired home.

The home team continued to hammer away at the New Zealand goal over the latter stages of the match, adding two more spectacular goals over the final 20 minutes.

Punt said while her side's showing in the gold medal match was disappointing, she was pleased the team's performance in the tournament.

The Black Sticks won their way through to the final with an impressive 2-1 win over Germany in Sunday's semifina to make it through to their first final of a major FIH event.It was the first time New Zealand had been in the final of the major FIH events.

"It's a step in the right direction for us, [the result] is not what we wanted at all but I'm proud of hte girls today and we'll just keep fighting from here," she said.

Black Sticks midfielder Stacey Michelson was named player of the tournament.