The Black Sticks been knocked out of the Men's Hockey World Cup after going down to England 2-0.
Despite a number of great scoring opportunities the Black Sticks were unable to break through the English defence. England will now play Olympic champions Argentina in the quarter-finals while New Zealand are left to reflect on a mis-fired campaign that produced one victory in four games.
New Zealand started the game holding the ball and looking to size up the England defence, creating some early chances which they failed to make the most of.
The Black Sticks started the second quarter very strongly looking to assert themselves on the offensive end of the field. The English defence was resolute as they didn't let the Black Sticks enter their circle. England absorbed the early pressure and then worked there way into the quarter where they held some good possession and were looking patient as they waited for opportunities to open up.
With five minutes to go in the second quarter England's Phil Roper found himself on the end of a well placed overhead and drove along the baseline laying a ball back for Will Calnan to deflect the ball home. Despite a few opportunities the Black Sticks were unable to find an equaliser and went into the halftime break down 1-0.
