Hockey: Black Sticks finish last at Champions Trophy

10.10am

New Zealand won't automatically be back at next year's Champions Trophy women's hockey tournament after a 0-3 loss to China in the relegation match in Rosario, Argentina, today.

The Black Sticks ended a torrid week of six matches in nine days placed last of the elite top-six teams, with just two draws to show for their trouble.

They needed to finish fifth or better to seal their place at next year's tournament, after being consigned to the playoff by a 0-3 loss to Australia yesterday.

They were finished off today by China's clinical finishing from penalty corners, with all three of their goals coming from the set piece.

Conversely, New Zealand missed several chances of their own, with top defender Lizzy Igasan not quite as accurate as the Black Sticks' go-to player for penalty corners.

Their frustration was completed in the dying minutes when they had four consecutive penalty corner attempts saved.

The game was a messy one between two sides who looked weary from their exertions of the past week, during which they drew 1-1 in round robin play.

China opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Wang Yanhui, and doubled their lead 11 minutes later when a Ma Yibo drag-flick left goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit with no chance.

Their third goal came in the 57th minute from a penalty corner deflection from Zhou Wanfeng.

The Black Sticks had one of their better chances to get one back soon after the restart, but a cross from Kayla Sharland was narrowly missed by Moira Senior.

Scores:-

China 3 (Wang Yanhui 17, Ma Yibo 28, Zhou Wanfeng 56)

New Zealand 0

Halftime: 2-0.

- NZPA