Hockey: Strong finish by Australia quells NZ women

7.45am - By CHRIS BARCLAY

SYDNEY - New Zealand women's hockey team coach Ian Rutledge was far from despondent following the Black Sticks 3-6 loss to Olympic champions Australia at an Olympic build-up tournament in Darwin last night.

New Zealand failed to score a goal in their last three matches against the Hockeyroos but found themselves up 2-3 in the shadow of half time.

Unfortunately for the New Zealanders the Hockeyroos scored with eight seconds remaining and then laid on three unanswered second-half goals to quell a spirited challenge.

The Hockeyroos tightened their play in the second 35 minutes to outrun New Zealand.

"The performance was very good for us," Rutledge said.

"There were a few critical incidents that happened in the game that allowed the score to be blown out in a way that didn't resemble the performance of both teams.

"At 3-3 Australia scored although it was kicked by their striker. That broke our backs to be honest.

"The umpire missed an obvious call but that turned the tables a little bit.

"We did enough to win the game in my mind and it's the first time we've played against a decent opponent after a six week lay-off. There were more positives than negatives. We're quite buoyed by the performance."

Rutledge said the team played with sound structure for 60 per cent of the match and dominated until the fourth Australian goal.

Although the score line blew out he credited the defence especially Lizzy Igesan and Diane Weaver.

Midfielder Rachael Sutherland also made an impressive return from a back injury.

The match was only three minutes old when Australia's Suzie Faulkner got on the end of a sweeping movement to open the scoring after Louise Dobson and Julie Towers combined to break open New Zealand from deep defence.

Confusion inside the circle gave striker Lisa Walton the first of her two goals before Dobson scored from a penalty corner strike to give the Hockeyroos a 2-1 lead after 12 minutes.

Another error inside their defensive circle cost Australia a second goal before Jaimee Provan's deft deflection from a penalty corner gave the visitors an unexpected 3-2 lead four minutes from halftime.

Just as New Zealand looked headed for a lead at the break, Towers got on the end of Emily Halliday's pass inside the circle with just 10 seconds left in the half to level the scores for the third time in the match.

Bianca Netzlers good vision from deep inside her own territory released Taylor in the midfield and the ball travelled through Towers and Katrina Powell before Faulkner managed a controversial final touch for a 4-3 lead.

Towers and Taylor were again involved in Karen Smith's strike before Carmel Bakurski scored near full-time to complete the scoring.

New Zealand barely have time to lick their wounds, with less than 24 hours respite before they play Japan, who beat the Australian Institute of Sport by the same scoreline, tonight (10.30pm NZT).

New Zealand, who were sixth at Sydney in 2000, are grouped in the same pool as Japan in Greece.

New Zealand won a four-test home series in February 3-1 but Japan were the eventual winners of the Olympic Qualifying tournament which followed that series.

After Japan the Black Sticks face the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) on Saturday (7.30pm NZT) before a play-off match to determine placings 1-4 on Sunday (7.30pm NZT).

They then head to Townsville in North Queensland for return matches against the AIS (June 23), Japan (June 24) and Australia (June 26).

New Zealand complete their programme with a play-off game next Sunday (June 27).

Australia 6 (Suzie Faulkner 27, 49, Louise Dobson 13m, Julie Towers 35m, Karen Smith 58m, Carmel Bakurski 67m)

New Zealand 3 (Lisa Walton 7, 22 Jaimee Provan 31)

Halftime 3-3

- NZPA