Hockey: Penalty corner scuppers hopes for Black Sticks

New Zealand's Kate Mahon (left) fends off China's Wei Ma. Photo / Sarah Ivey

China 3
New Zealand 2

The Black Sticks women turned in their best effort of the international series but still came up short, losing to China in front of a boisterous crowd in Hamilton last night.

It was a step up for the New Zealanders after being comprehensively beaten in three tests in four days by Argentina.

The Black Sticks were under pressure early as the world-ranked No 4 Chinese gave them little ball and even fewer scoring opportunities.

With their pace and clinical game it was hardly surprising the visitors, in the first of two tests against New Zealand, turned that domination in the opening 20 minutes into a 2-0 lead with field goals from Hongxing Li and Yudiao Zhao.

New Zealand, with a team similar to the one who lost the third test against Argentina in Pukekohe 24 hours earlier, gradually played their way back and were rewarded with a well-taken Katie Glynn goal.

Grabbing turn-over ball, Glynn dribbled from the 25-yard line into the Chinese circle before beating goalkeeper Yimeng Zhang in a one-on-one.

Heartened by that, the hosts scored an encouraging equaliser just before halftime when defender Clarissa Eshuis converted her team's only penalty corner of the half. They forced only one more in the second half.

In the end it was a penalty corner which won the day when Zhao deflected home a strike aimed at New Zealand goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit.

A goal down again after 45 minutes, New Zealand continued to battle and created half chances for Liz Perry and Glynn but could not breach the resolute Chinese defence.

Coach Mark Hager again made regular use of his bench.

It was a more heartening effort from the Black Sticks who looked more accomplished on defence with Emily Naylor, their most experienced player, playing a key role at centre-half.

New Zealand, chasing their first win of the series against Argentina and China, have a last chance in Pukekohe tonight when they will seek to snap a 15-match winless streak against China since the 2004 Athens Olympics.