Hockey: China beckons as Black Sticks fall short

New Zealand are bound for the World Cup men's qualifying hockey tournament in China in April after going down to Australia in the Oceania Cup final in Fiji yesterday.

Australia's victory came on the back of some trademark clinical finishing, their fast-break counter-attack and general all-round crispness throughout the lines. It earned them direct entry to the World Cup in Germany next September.

The Olympic champions were a step sharper than the Black Sticks, dominating for most of the match, which began in dubious weather conditions and with a waterlogged pitch. The match had to suspended in the ninth minute for a 50-minute break while the weather cleared and the turf drained.

Minutes after the restart Australia struck their first blow through Andrew Smith, when he latched on to a cross from the always dangerous Michael McCann for the opening goal.

Although the Black Sticks responded one minute later when Bevan Hari deflected home from a free hit outside the circle, Australia soon took control and led 3-1 at the break after Grant Schubert grabbed a brace.

Matthew Wells blasted in the fourth from a penalty corner before Liam De Young scrambled in a fifth a minute later.

New Zealand coach Kevin Towns was naturally disappointed by his team's performance, which lacked the fire of their effort on Tuesday when they led Australia 2-1 at halftime, only to fall 4-2.

"We were outplayed," Towns admitted. "We were too lax in defence and gave away goals. You can't give Australia space.

"They were much crisper on the ball than we were. On attack we couldn't get the numbers there and we looked unsure of ourselves."

Towns said there would be benefits to travelling the long route to the World Cup through China and he was confident New Zealand would qualify, considering they are ranked ninth in the world.

"It could have proved difficult to find teams to play against in our build-up otherwise and this is something we have planned for," he said.


- NZPA


Australia: 5 (G. Schubert 2, A. Smith, L. De Young, M. Wells)

New Zealand: 1 (B. Hari).

Halftime: 3-1.