Argentina put seven past NZ
01/19/2012 04:34:25 AM
Argentina have given the New Zealand women's hockey team a timely reminder of their supremacy, hammering them 7-3 in their Four Nations opener in Cordoba.
It looked like the Kiwi women could have pinched a point after coming from 0-2 down to secure a 2-2 halftime scoreline.
But any hopes of a credible point were crushed by a clinical Argentina, who scored five goals in the second half to show why they're the world's second-best side.
Mark Hager's side were left to rue a poor defensive display in the second half that was only brightened somewhat by a second goal to Cat Finlayson to reduce the margin to four goals. Krystal Forgesson scored the other goal for the New Zealanders.
Hager was understandably disappointed in his side's tournament opener.
"Although we haven't had international competition in the last three months, we can't use that as an excuse. We still have to be more consistent throughout the seventy minutes and really dig in and be more competitive when it matters," says Hager.
New Zealand play Korea in their next match on Friday before meeting Britain the following day.