Hockey: Coach berates NZ women

Sam Harrison. File photo / Northern Advocate

Coach Mark Hager has been scathing of the New Zealand women's hockey team's performance at the Champions Trophy in Nottingham.

The Black Sticks finished fifth after a 4-3 win over China in the playoff for fifth and sixth, but Hager says the win can not hide their shortcomings. He says they played at about five out of ten and got found out in a lot of different areas.

Hager says they have a lot of weaknesses they have to try to fix.

The Blacks Sticks played catch up for the majority of the China match and were rewarded for their perseverance with a superb winner from Gemma Flynn with just seven minutes to go.

They faced a few edgy moments including a vital save by goalkeeper Bianca Russell in the dying minutes.

The win follows a draw with hosts England and means the Blacks Sticks finish fifth at the tournament, while China, ranked third going into it, finish with the wooden spoon.

Young midfielder Sam Harrison says they are proud of how they stuck at it, as it has provided ideal preparation for what they will face in next month's World Cup in Argentina. She says they suffered a couple of of hidings but they have improved and they are delighted with the determination they showed in the last two matches.

Argentina has won the Champions Trophy, beating the Netherlands 4-2 in the final.

England has finished third after a 2-1 win over Germany.

- NEWSTALK ZB