Hockey: Black Sticks battle to avoid wooden spoon after loss

By MARK GEENTY

ATHENS - A nasty facial injury to standout defender Lizzy Igason is the least of New Zealand coach Ian Rutledge's worries as he laments the plummeting confidence of his attackers in the bid to avoid last place in the Olympic women's hockey tournament here.

Rutledge hailed North Harbour's Igason, still just 21, after she took five stitches for the team and still returned to steel up the defence in their 0-3 loss to world champions Argentina here today.

But at the other end, Rutledge is beginning to lose patience as New Zealand still seek their first goal of the tournament in their final pool match against Spain tomorrow (7.30pm NZT).

In 210 minutes, New Zealand have failed to find the net in 37 shots from either the field or penalty corners in losses to China, Japan and Argentina.

You need look no further for the reason they are eyeing the playoff for last of the 10 teams on Thursday night (NZT), if they lose to Spain.

"It's a confidence thing, and we need people to maintain belief in their ability. You can't get to the world stage then start to have doubts about yourself, and I think a few of our players did that," Rutledge told NZPA.

The lack of finishing didn't reach the epidemic proportions of the Japan match on Thursday when 12 shots, as well as six penalty corners and even a stroke from captain Suzie Muirhead, didn't find the mark.

Today, Niniwa Roberts-Lang's early penalty corner shot was disallowed when it was ruled too high, while Muirhead, Kayla Sharland, Lisa Walton, Diana Weavers and Tara Drysdale all tried but couldn't find the net.

In contrast, Argentina showed their individual brilliance when given a sniff, even with New Zealand providing sturdy defence.

All three of their goals were from ruthless finishes from general play, with veteran Vanina Oneto scoring with her 145th international goal from a deflection, and Soledad Garcia sealing the win with a blistering long range shot which gave goalkeeper Helen Clarke no chance.

Rutledge said the longer the goal drought went, the tougher it became to break.

"It becomes a focus, which it shouldn't be. You should just focus on the process and stay calm in the moment.

"Argentina are a very good side, we're a very young side and I'm sure we'll gain a lot of knowledge yet."

Igason rushed off for more medical attention afterwards, having taken the full pace of the ball on the left cheek in the 12th minute, returning to the field later with stitches, a giant bandage and a new shirt with a makeshift No 10 taped onto the back.

At her first Olympics, Igason has impressed.

"Lizzy was exceptional, she was one of our best players again and at 21 she's one of the best defenders in the world," Rutledge said.

"She's going to propel this team into the future without a doubt.

"She was a very brave girl too, we're fortunate to have a player like her in our team."

Rutledge, the highly rated Australian who succeeded 2002 Commonwealth Games coach Jan Borren, still had eyes for the playoff for fifth.

If New Zealand beat Spain they finish fourth in pool A, and will go into crossover matches to decide positions 5-8.

"We want to make sure we're playing off for fifth and sixth in the last match of the tournament, that's our focus now."

- NZPA