Hockey: Coach realistic on final chances

New Zealand's scoreless draw against hosts the Netherlands guarantees their place in the top four at the Champions Trophy but coach Mark Hager is realistic in assessing their chances of a first medal at the tournament.

The result is the Black Sticks' most significant since Hager took the reins.

Ranked No 7, they now play Korea tomorrow (3am NZT) and then tournament top seeds Argentina on Saturday night.

Beat Korea and they are a strong chance to make the final on Monday.

"It is pleasing to be in the top four and playing in the semifinals," said Hager after his team had held out the Dutch, who had beaten Australia 3-0 and Germany 2-1 in their earlier pool games.

"We know we still have a long way to go but we seem to be tracking in the right direction."

Hager would have been well satisfied with his team's defensive effort.

The Dutch penetrated the New Zealand circle 39 times and won four penalty corners but failed to beat a resolute defensive effort led by goalkeeper Bianca Russell, who pulled off some crucial saves.

On attack the Black Sticks were again found wanting.

They made less than a dozen forays into the Dutch circle and forced just a solitary penalty corner late in the game from which captain Kayla Sharland fired just wide.

In three pool games, the Black Sticks have won just four penalty corners, failing to convert any.

They have not been alone - from 12 penalty corners the Dutch have scored from only one.

New Zealand have scored just three goals so far, all in the crucial 3-2 win over Australia. Again, the Black Sticks are not alone in failing to score.

In 12 pool matches just 29 goals were scored at an average of 2.4 a game - the lowest at any of the 18 women's Champions Trophy tournaments.

It was a credit to Hager's players that they were able to hold on in the sweltering conditions in Amsterdam, despite again turning over too much ball, especially in midfield.

"It wasn't the best hockey we have played in this tournament but defensively we scrambled well," said Sharland immediately after the match and before the players were evacuated from the stadium because of the threat of lightning from a fierce electrical storm.

"The girls are very happy. This is another step forward. It is very exciting to be in the top four."

Ironically, they have progressed despite losing their opening match 1-0 to Germany - the team Hager had targeted as perhaps their best chance of beating in pool play.