Hockey: Statistics show state of play in cold light of day

Coach Jan Borren is quick to dismiss statistics as largely irrelevant in evaluating the performance of the New Zealand women's team.

But in the cold light of day there were aspects of Saturday's 2-1 tri-series loss to Argentina the national coach will need to consider as he and his team head for the World Cup in Perth this afternoon.

Granted, his team's performance against the cup top seeds, Argentina, at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga was a step-up from the 1-1 draw against Japan on Friday, but some worrying signs remained.

The Black Sticks lost much of their go-forward with 28 unforced errors - 14 in each half - to 15.

On attack they also trailed their opponents, who had the ball in the attacking circle 25 times to just nine managed by the home side.

Borren can look at the conversion rate with some satisfaction, even if New Zealand's only goal came from a penalty corner.

After a scoreless first half, the visitors opened their account in the 38th minute.

From their fourth, and last penalty corner, the Argentines worked a well-rehearsed move which Cecilia Rognoni converted after an Ines Parodi dummy.

Ines Arrondo could have doubled the lead a minute later, but goalkeeper Helen Clarke saved well.

Showing they also could work some magic at the penalty corner, New Zealand equalised in the 48th minute when Suzie Pearce swept home.

But in the end, the incessant pressure told. Led by strong games from Luciana Aymar, Stepnik Ayelen and Rognoni, Argentina clinched the match six minutes from time when the New Zealand defence failed to clear and Agustina Garcia was on hand to provide the final touch from close range.

In the confusion Clarke had no chance, but she and Anne-Marie Irving showed New Zealand will be well served at the back at the World Cup.

Elsewhere, Borren has concerns. Midfielders Michelle Turner and Tara Drysdale struggled against the clinical Argentines, but have the chance to turn it around when the teams meet again in their cup opener on Sunday night.

The Black Sticks will have two warm-up games in Perth -

against Canada on Wednesday and Ireland a day later. The matches will give Borren and assistant coach Selwyn Maister a further chance to consider options.

Without a game-breaker such as Anna Lawrence or Mandy Smith, the New Zealanders must work tirelessly as a unit.

Borren takes 18 players to Perth, but with only 16 eligible for each match, he must consider his options carefully.

Japan and Argentina opted not to include a second goalkeeper in their 16, thus allowing an extra outfield player.

Borren's desire to give all players some game time did not help, especially as he chose to rotate and rest his strikers.

"It was a totally different game against Argentina," he said. "They are a team with much more ability. Against them you have to anticipate a lot more if you want to compete.

"It was difficult to prepare for these two games because we came up against teams who play completely different styles of hockey."

In the third match yesterday, Argentina and Japan drew 0-0 which left New Zealand at the bottom of the table.

Northland defender Lizzy Igasan, who sat out the series with a calf injury, yesterday passed a fitness test and will join her team-mates on today's flight.