Hockey: Loss for Black Sticks at world qualifiers

United States 1 New Zealand 0


New Zealand rued missed chances in the final 10 minutes as they suffered a 0-1 loss to the United States at the World Cup women's hockey qualifying tournament in Rome today.

A 57th minute field goal from the United States' Carrie Lingo was enough to inflict New Zealand's first loss of the tournament and apply the pressure for their next match against Ireland on Sunday NZ time.

It was New Zealand's second loss in three matches against the US after the 0-1 result in the fifth match of the home series last May.

The Black Sticks now need to win their next three pool matches against Ireland, seventh-ranked Korea and Italy to ensure a top-two finish in their pool to book World Cup qualification and advance to the medal rounds.

Having staggered home 2-1 in their opening match against lowly Azerbaijan, they struggled to crack a defensive-minded United States.

Ranked sixth in the world to the United States' 12th, New Zealand created more chances in a scoreless first half.

The loss of key attacker Kayla Sharland, who was stretchered off with knee ligament damage early in their tournament opener, was felt.

The US started the second half strongly, forcing New Zealand turnovers, and they were rewarded when Lingo opened the scoring when she latched on to a free hit.

Striker Charlotte Harrison weaved into the circle on more than one occasion but the penalty corners weren't converted.

It got desperate in the final 10 minutes but two more penalty corner chances were missed -- Suzie Muirhead saved by the US goalkeeper and Di Weavers shooting wide in the final minute.

Without Sharland and fellow striker Honor Dillon, who was ruled out with a broken hand in the tournament leadup, the Black Sticks suffered from rustiness.

"We just hesitated a bit and struggled with different players in new positions with the injuries we had," captain Muirhead told Radio Sport.


Result:
United States 1 (Carrie Lingo 57) New Zealand 0. Halftime: 0-0.


- NZPA