Dutch too strong for NZ
02/02/2012 08:25:58 PM
New Zealand's women's hockey team went down 0-3 to the world's No.1 side, the Netherlands, at the Champions Trophy tournament in Rosario, Argentina on Thursday.
New Zealand were unable to capitalise on the chances they created.
The Dutch enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but superb work by goalkeeper Sally Rutherford held them to only one goal in the half. It came in the 25th minute after several attempts to complete the gain.
Turning over a lot of ball when failing to string the passes together to break the midfield defence, the New Zealanders had no scoring chances in the first half.
A penalty corner was converted by Netherlands captain Maartje Pauman early in the second half.
New Zealand's Charlotte Harrison, Anita Punt and Cathryn Finlayson all took shots at goal in the second half without success.
Then after 57 minutes Lidewij Welten scored for the Dutch to claim a semi-finals berth.
New Zealand will play Argentina or China in the play-offs to decide fifth to eighth.
One highpoint of the day was the presentation of the international hockey body's young player of the year award to Stacey Michelsen.