Hockey: Olympic medal remains realistic says Lawrence

SYDNEY - An Olympic Games medal remains in sight for the New Zealand women's hockey team - despite losing their last three games.

Captain Anna Lawrence remains confident of their prospects, even after her side's roller-coaster performance at the Tri-Nations tournament in Sydney.

Following the satisfaction of an opening draw with Germany and the elation of an historic win over Australia, the New Zealanders took two doses of reality with heavy losses to the same teams, followed by a 0-3 drubbing at the hands of a quality Australia B team.

New Zealanders started poorly, conceding all three goals in the first half before regrouping and having the better of the second spell.

The Australian side comprised several players still in the hunt for the Olympics and played with greater desire than the New Zealand team.

But for coach Jan Borren the loss was not a big concern.

"We were simply punished for some basic errors in the first half. Australia B are very strong and they were good enough to take advantage of the opportunities we gave them.

"We dominated most of the second half but couldn't score at key moments."

Lawrence, who hit form with five of New Zealand's six goals at the tournament, all through penalty corners, said her side would return to their Wellington base well aware of the enormity of their challenge in September.

"The confidence is fine but we're realistic," Lawrence said.

"We still have a chance for a medal, but as this tournament has shown, anything can happen on any day. Things can turn around just like that. Consistency will be so important.

"We've had a couple of reasonable performances and a couple below par, but we're also still trying some things with the team.

"We've got to have 16 people who can play at the Olympics so we changed a few things round and I think that may have showed up a little bit in a couple of games."

The New Zealanders will have eight intense weeks of training and playing in Wellington.

For all the players it is the end of a dedicated two-year buildup for the Games and for some it will probably be their last involvement with the national team.

Defender Rachel Petrie and striker Kate Trolove, who has passed 150 internationals, have indicated the Games will be their swansong.

Lawrence said a number of others were weighing up their future after having sacrificed so much to the Olympic campaign.

- NZPA

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