Hockey: Gloomy end for Muirhead

Suzie Muirhead deserved better than to end her illustrious career in a playoff match for seventh and eighth at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Rome.

New Zealand's most capped player - male or female - Muirhead, 31, plays the last of 238 matches for the Black Sticks against Ireland this morning.

It could have been so different had the New Zealanders won their first crossover match against France yesterday.

In going down 1-0 to the lowly-rated French, New Zealand's chance of grabbing the last of five World Cup spots disappeared.

Instead of playing China tonight for that vital place in Madrid, the Black Sticks have been consigned to a nothing game with the Irish.

Ranked sixth in the world, New Zealand were the second-highest rated side at the Rome tournament. To bow out to the 21st (and lowest) ranked side is a blow to the sport.

They must now pick themselves up and prepare for the Champions Trophy in Holland from July 8-16.

The pressure will go on coach Ian Rutledge to turn things around.

"It was not a good day," said Rutledge in reflecting on the loss to France. "We did not play well. It was a very slack performance."

Asked whether complacency was a factor, Rutledge said he did not think so, adding, "I'm lost for the reason why".

"There certainly wasn't a feeling of just having to turn up to win. It is disappointing France took away our chance to go to the World Cup. I felt we could have got there."

Rutledge said the Black Sticks appeared "flat" as they went from their best performance of the tournament - the emphatic 5-0 win over Italy - to their worst within 48 hours.

He was not looking for excuses dismissing unavailability, retirements and injuries as something that must be overcome.

His biggest disappointment was for Muirhead.

"She was outstanding today," said Rutledge. "She was inspiring and deserved better. She was the one player who was not going to be going to the World Cup but played like she wanted to."

Rutledge said he was uncertain about availabilities for the Champions Trophy with some suggestion that veteran defender Di Weavers might follow Muirhead in calling it a day.

Rutledge, who is staying on in Europe to watch some hockey in Holland, said he expects the team for the Champions Trophy will be named around the time he returns on May 23-24.

After their wins in yesterday's semifinals, England (who needed a golden goal to beat the US 1-0) and Korea will play in the final.