Germany's Lisa Hahn scores her team's third goal past New
Zealand goalkeeper Sally Rutherford during their Champions
Trophy match in Rosario yesterday. Photo by Reuters.
The Black Sticks' unbeaten run at the Champions Trophy in
Argentina came to a abrupt end yesterday as they were beaten by
3-1 by Germany.
New Zealand suffered a nightmare start, conceding three goals
in the first 20 minutes of a flat first-half display.
Despite a drastic improvement in the second spell, time was
always against it and Anita Punt's goal proved only a
consolation.
The loss gives New Zealand the toughest possible assignment
in the quarterfinals tomorrow - it will face the Netherlands
or Great Britain, both unbeaten and in top form.
Coach Mark Hager will be pleased with the spirit shown in the
second half but scratching his head over the collective
collapse in the first.
New Zealand had the better of the opening exchanges but in
the fourth minute midfielder Stacey Michelsen lost possession
and Germany forced a penalty corner.
It made a hash of the first attempt but when the Black Sticks
failed to clear, Nina Hasselmann netted from close range.
The New Zealand defence continued to appear all at sea and
when it cleared straight to a German attacker, it conceded
yet another penalty corner in the ninth minute. Again,
Hasselmann swept home from near the post.
It was no surprise when Germany scored its third goal in the
20th minute and, from Hager's point of view, it was surely
the worst of the lot.
The Germans cut them open up the middle and the energetic
Lisa Hahn, one of the best performers in this tournament,
slotted home at the far post.
New Zealand's efforts were finally rewarded on 60 minutes
when Punt slashed home a rebound from the edge of the circle.
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