Tough start for Vantage Black Sticks

Its been a rough opening match for the Vantage Black Sticks, beaten 4-0 by the Netherlands at the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland.

The world number one ranked Dutch showed their class and were clinical inside the attacking circle scoring two goals in each half to secure top spot in Pool A.

Netherlands opened the scoring in the 11th minute with Kelly Jonker scoring an impressive field goal before her side doubled their lead four minutes from a crashing Maartje Krekelaar reverse shot.

New Zealand battled hard throughout the remainder of the half and created several very close chances but werent able to convert them into goals.

Midway through the third quarter Netherlands opened a three goal buffer from a Frederique Matla strike before Jonker netted her second of the match in the 48th minute.

Head coach Mark Hager said it was a disappointing way to start the tournament despite a strong opening period of play.

"I thought we started well and up until they scored we were creating chances and broke away a couple of times," he said.

"What really hurt us was the softness of their second goal - we werent in good positions defensively and there were big holes for us across the field so we need to look at what went wrong there.

"Netherlands moved the ball really well and you cant take that away from them, but the frustrating thing for us is the inconsistency in that we started well but couldnt stay with them."

The Vantage Black Sticks are back in action against Korea at 6:00pm tomorrow night (NZ time), with live coverage on SKY Sport.

Event tickets can be purchased along with full transport information through www.ticketek.co.nz

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS: 0

NETHERLANDS: 4 (Kelly Jonker 11 48, Maartje Krekelaar 15, Frederique Matla 39)

Halftime: Netherlands 2-0



- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ