KEY POINTS:
BEIJING - After his blood pressure had levelled out, New Zealand women's hockey coach Kevin Towns decided a semifinal spot was still within striking range despite his team's controversial 1-2 loss to Germany.
The Black Sticks squandered a 1-0 advantage against the world's third-ranked side with 11 minutes remaining last night and let through the heartbreaking second goal about a minute from time.
It was the first German effort that raised Towns' ire, with he and his team sure that captain Lizzy Igasan had been impeded off the ball by a sliding opponent.
The video umpire disagreed, a call the furious Towns labelled a "top-four" decision - that is, a key ruling going the way of a leading nation.
"It will be interesting to know exactly what the decision was, I don't know whether we get it in writing or not but we'll ask," he said.
However, Towns also realised how important it was for the team to put the incident behind them quickly before facing Great Britain tomorrow night.
The world No 7 Black Sticks are winless through two rounds, putting them sixth and last with three rounds remaining.
Great Britain sit one spot above them following a 5-1 loss to Germany and a much-improved 2-2 draw with Argentina last night.
The loser tomorrow can almost certainly start packing their bags while a draw will also do neither side any favours.
New Zealand follow their match against the 10th-ranked British with games against the United States (11th) and Argentina (2nd), who are yet to fire.
"Everyone's beating everyone in this thing," Towns said.
"We have to be confident going into GB, USA and even Argentina, nine points is still in front of us.
"You need six points out of the next two games and go into the Argie game with nothing to lose."
Leg injuries to key midfielder Kayla Sharland and striker Niniwa Roberts have been shaken off and when Sharland was surging in the middle of the park last night, New Zealand were well and truly in the same league as the vastly experienced Germans.
Krystal Forgesson gave them the lead on the half-hour with a rifling reverse stick shot but there weren't many more clear openings for either team.
Towns described a fairly uninspiring match as "enthralling" and he will need to conjure more fluency up front.
That could come from inexperienced striker Gemma Flynn, who shone at times with her speed and execution last night, perhaps justifying her debated selection ahead of Charlotte Harrison for the Games.
"She started to show that she's got potential and a lot of pace." he said.
"She led really well for a youngster coming into the side under a bit of controversy in terms of how she got in."
- NZPA
