Hockey: Black Sticks thrashed by Australia

The New Zealand men's hockey team has tumbled out of Malaysia's Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in dramatic fashion, crushed 7-1 by Australia in their semifinal.

Richard Petherick scored the only New Zealand goal minutes from fulltime.

New Zealand coach Kevin Towns said the team was able to hold their own in the first half and the halftime score of three-nil was probably not reflective of the flow of the game.

He said the Australians took all three chances they had, while the New Zealand side failed to convert a similar number.

The Black Sticks were delivered a huge blow just before the start when captain Ryan Archibald was forced to pull out with a calf injury.

New Zealand will play India for third and fourth place, while Australia and The Netherlands will contest the final.

- NEWSTALK ZB