Hockey: Black Sticks hold the German champions

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Black Sticks wound up the main part of their Champions Trophy preparation by playing out a scoreless draw with Olympic and defending trophy champions Germany yesterday.

The match, played away from the match venue at the Rosario Jockey Club following an overnight storm which left debris on the tournament pitch, was a tight affair but one which New Zealand coach Ian Rutledge felt his team could have won.

"We had a goal on advantage disallowed and were awarded a penalty corner instead," said Rutledge.

"That was bit frustrating but, really, the results don't mean much at this stage.

"I'm confident we can hold our own here but against the best teams in the world that does not ensure you will win any games.

"There are so many variables in games as tight as these will be. You can play well and lose for sure."

Rutledge left his three injured players, Emily Naylor (calf), Beth Jurgeleit (quad) and Stacey Carr (hamstring), on the sideline again yesterday but is confident they will be available for selection for the opener against Argentina on Sunday morning (NZ time).

Under tournament rules he can name only 16 (of 18) players for each match.

He has already decided to go into each match with just one goalkeeper, which means that duty will be shared by Jurgeleit and Anita Wawatai.

Against Germany, New Zealand failed to convert any of four penalty corners but Rutledge was not worried, especially as Niniwa Roberts-Lang and Kayla Sharland had been successful from similar opportunities in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Argentina.

Honor Dillon, in her first outing also scored as did Moira Senior who is back in the team after an injury break.

Rutledge said the conditions were cooler for yesterday's game but he intends to have today's final training session at match time (6.15pm local time).

"I'm sure there was some carryover from the Argentine match when we played Germany," said Rutledge.

"It was very hot and humid on Wednesday. That is something we have to expect."

Rutledge will give his players the day off tomorrow before Sunday's opening ceremony and first game.