Womens hockey: More woe for NZ

New Zealand's luckless run at the Champions Trophy women's hockey tournament in England continued today when they suffered their fourth successive loss, this time to Germany.

The Germans won 5-2 at Nottingham after leading 3-0 at halftime.

They struck early to gain the initiative after Lydia Haase passed forward for Eileen Hoffman to beat goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit in the 13th minute.

They doubled their lead 7min later through Katharina Otte before Hoffmann netted again, this time from a rebound off the pads of Jurgeleit.

The New Zealanders started the second half with dominant field position and made three fast breaks, threatening to score but with no result.

The flow of play turned against New Zealand 20min into the second half and Germany's Maike Stockel scored a scrambling goal then Natascha Keller scored their fifth before the New Zealanders responded.

Consolation goals came for New Zealand in the late 10min via Katie Glynn and Samantha Harrison.

New Zealand coach Mark Hager lamented his team's inconsistency as he also looks for more physicality in his players.

"We fight to the end but we are just inconsistent," Hager said.

"Germany were more physical than us and they pushed us off the ball and we have players who are not prepared to put their body on the line.

"We were not clinical enough in the front third of the pitch and in the circle so that is an area we have to look at improving when we go home."

SCORE

Germany 5 (Eileen Hoffman 2, Katharina Otte, Maike Stockel, Natascha Keller) New Zealand 2 (Katie Glynn, Samantha Harrison). Halftime: 3-0.

- NZPA