The Black Sticks women fought back but couldn't clinch a win against world No 3 Argentina in the first game of the South Island tour in Blenheim today.
The visitors won 2-1 but not without a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter from the Kiwis, spurred on by a goal from Shiloh Gloyn.
'We were too patchy and not cohesive enough," said head coach Mark Hager. "The last five minutes was pretty much the best part of our game with three or four shots - we finished well, but we have got to be better ."
It was an end-to-end affair in the first half with both sides having their opportunities - Argentina were unlucky not to score early on when the ball bounced off the post. Likewise, the Black Sticks were rueing their chances when a nice piece of play was disallowed after the ball edged over the baseline and a Charlotte Harrison shot was superbly saved by the goalkeeper.
Argentina's Zuloaga was the first to score in the eighth minute from a penalty corner and the score remained until halftime. The visitors then doubled their lead when Maria Granatto finished off a nice team goal in the 35th minute.
