Hockey: Black Sticks lose in penalty shootout

New Zealand's Anita Punt. Photo / Getty Images

Australia have beaten New Zealand in a penalty shootout to advance to the Champions Trophy hockey final in Mendoza.

The scores were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time, but Australia were too good in the shootout, winning it 3-0 as New Zealand's poor record in shootouts continued.

World No 3 Australia will face either the Netherlands or hosts Argentina in the final, with the Black Sticks to play the loser for third place.

New Zealand lost on penalty strokes to Australia in the Commonwealth Games final in New Delhi four years ago, were beaten by the Dutch in the semifinals of the London Olympics on a shootout, and again went down to England in the Commonwealth semifinal in Glasgow this year by the same method.

The fourth-ranked Black Sticks began strongly and went ahead in the first minute through a fine penalty corner drag flick by captain Anita Punt.

They held the lead at halftime, but lost their way in a poor third quarter.

Australia's equaliser had an inevitability about it, and came five minutes before the end of that quarter, through Amelia Spence after New Zealand failed to clear their defensive line.

Stacey Michelsen, Punt and Ella Gunson missed in the shootout, Michelsen losing control of the ball, Punt driving her shot wide and Gunson's effort hitting a post.

Emily Smith got the decisive goal for Australia after Georgia Nanscawen and Karri McMahon had previously beaten goalkeeper Georgia Barnett, who had kept the Black Sticks in the shootout by blocking Casey Eastham's effort.

The final games will be played tomorrow morning.