New Zealand 0 Argentina 2
What started so promisingly ended in disappointment yesterday when the Black Sticks lost the final test and the series against Argentina.
An inexperienced New Zealand, ranked ninth in the world, stunned the world's No2 side 3-1 in the first test on Wednesday but lost back-to-back tests in Mt Maunganui on
Friday and Saturday to lose the series 2-1.
Yesterday's defeat was more acceptable than Friday's 6-0 hammering, when the Black Sticks allowed Argentina to dominate.
They were more aggressive yesterday - so much so the Argentinians were at times incensed with the referees - but ultimately couldn't cope with the speed and skill of the South Americans.
New Zealand certainly missed their four European-based players as well as two others out injured, but Argentina were also without star striker Luciana Aymar, the six-time world player of the year.
New Zealand started slowly and conceded both goals to sloppy mistakes. The first came in the 10th minute when defender Clarissa Eshuis gave away possession for Marcela Casales to scamper away and score.
The second in the 43rd minute came when two Black Sticks defenders failed to clear a ball into the circle, which allowed captain Alejandra Gulla to score.
New Zealand exerted some pressure in the final 10 minutes of the match and were awarded a penalty stroke as a result but Kate Mahon pushed it wide.
The Argentina series was the first of a busy programme for the Black Sticks this year.
They host India for five tests next month before their three main targets - July's Champions Trophy in England, the World Cup in Argentina in September and the Commonwealth Games in India a month later.
Although coach Mark Hager wasn't particularly happy after the final whistle yesterday, there were some positives to take out of the series with Argentina.
New Zealand hadn't beaten Argentina in a test since 2000 before the shock result in the first test and the absence of the European-based players allowed Hager to look at a handful of players on the cusp of the Black Sticks.
"We have learned about which players we feel can step up to the next level," Hager said. "To give them that opportunity against such a quality team has been beneficial for us.
"[This series] probably just highlights what we have been saying for some time. We can beat the top-six teams occasionally but not consistently and that's something this group needs to learn to do."
One main area of concern is the team's fitness. A subtle change to the rules, which allows a player to pass a penalty restart to themselves, has sped the game up immensely. Argentina used that to good effect yesterday in what was a fast match.
"It just highlights that we're not fit enough," Hager said.
"We don't play enough of those matches day in, day out. When we go to tournaments, we play a hard one and then an easy one.
"We weren't where we needed to be. Some of the girls didn't do the work over Christmas.
"They were a bit slack and are now playing catch-up. That's the area we really need to work on heading into the Champions Trophy."
