Hockey: Black Sticks target Korea and top spot

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand women's coach Ian Rutledge and his team were down but far from out following the 4-2 loss to Japan in their second match of the Tri-Nations tournament in Gifu.

A win in their third game against Korea tonight would take the Black Sticks back to the top of the table, where they were following their upset win over Korea.

With a one-win, one-loss record against the world's sixth (Korea) and ninth-ranked (Japan) nations, Rutledge has taken plenty from the chance to play two of the teams they will face in March's Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland.

He has a young side, including six who have made their international debuts here.

"We played well enough to win [against Japan], but a couple of things didn't go our way," Rutledge said. "I'm not too disappointed. The effort was there in conditions up to 30 degrees and high humidity that weren't easy.

"Three of Japan's goals came from penalty corners. Our two goals were scored by 19-year-old Stacey Carr, her first for New Zealand, and 17-year-old Kayla Sharland.

"The future is very bright," Rutledge said. "These girls - and all have had significant game time - are putting the pressure on the players who were left at home this time.

"There is a much bigger picture than just doing well here. We are using this as the opportunity to work out how we can combat two teams who could stand between us and a place at the Olympics."

Wellington goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit made her debut against Japan and came away with a pass mark in a game in which their opponents had the advantage of playing fresh-up.

The first half of their opening game against Korea was the best Rutledge said he had seen since taking over. "It was the best attacking hockey I've seen from them. They fully deserved their lead and in the second half defended very well to win 3-2."

The team were out early for another two-hour training session to prepare for tonight's game.

"There is always something to work on," Rutledge said. "I certainly couldn't ask for anything more."

New Zealand play their second game against Japan, their last of the tournament, tomorrow night.