Hockey: Black Sticks crumble before their hosts

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Memories of New Zealand's poorer efforts against world champions Argentina were all too quickly rekindled as the Black Sticks slumped to an embarrassing 6-0 loss in the opening round of the Champions Trophy in Rosario yesterday.

It was a stunning turnaround from the result of the warm-up game played a few days earlier when New Zealand surprised the hosts by winning 4-2.

But the real deal saw the Argentinians out-play New Zealand to join the Netherlands and Germany as first-day winners.

The statistics told the story. The hosts were in the New Zealand defensive circle 34 times to New Zealand's seven at the other end. Argentina won 11 penalty corners to three.

From the outset it was all one way with New Zealand struggling for even 20 per cent possession as wave after wave of blue and white put the New Zealand defence, led by experienced Di Weavers, under constant pressure.

In holding them out and successfully defending five penalty corners, New Zealand kept themselves in the game and created a couple of half chances, only to be caught out when the home team quickly turned defence into attack. Alejandra Gulla, playing her 100th international, opened the scoring in the 25th minute.

The Black Sticks battled well for the balance of the first spell and Niniwa Roberts-Lang and Kayla Sharland had a chance or two, without seriously threatening to score.

The tempo for the second spell was set within a minute when, from a messy penalty corner clearance in which New Zealand claimed there was an Argentine foot to the ball, Marine Russo scored.

Goals to Luciana Aymar and Agustina Garcia, from penalty corner variations, stretched the lead to 4-0 after 52 minutes.

Gulla completed a memorable match with two late goals to notch the first hat-trick of the tournament.

New Zealand men's coach Kevin Towns, at the tournament in his role as New Zealand Hockey's high performance manager, said the high turnover of possession by the New Zealanders came as a result of the pressure from the Argentinians.

"This is where the women's game is different," said Towns.

"In tight situations, the men can use power and strength to turn things around. The women can't do that and the ball can easily be lost.

"The difference between the practice game and what we saw today was the mobility of the New Zealand players. In the earlier game they were more confident and more accurate. That was missing this time."

Towns said the overall standard on the first day was not great.

"Australia really struggled and went down to a German side who were OK. Like us, China fell apart in the second half against the Dutch.

"The standout team without doubt was Argentina so we have to take some heart from that."

New Zealand meet China today looking for at least a point, with some concerns over key defender Lizzy Igasan's knee injury.