The New Zealand men suffered a heart-breaking loss on penalties in their World League quarterfinal against Canada in Buenos Aires yesterday.
After a 0-0 draw at full time, 14 penalty attempts from each side resulted in the Black Sticks being relegated them to a fifth-eighth classification game against Japan tomorrow.
The New Zealanders were hoping to finish in the top three at this tournament to book a spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but with those hopes now dashed, their next opportunity to qualify will be to beat world No1 Australia and other Pacific nations at the Oceania Cup in Taranaki in October.
The shootout, which had two sudden-death rounds, was full of drama with a superb display from both goalkeepers to keep their teams in the game.
During the shootout, Hugo Inglis and Blair Hilton scored two each, Simon Child missed both his chances, Ryan Archibald missed three, and Steve Edwards calmly slotted home all of his attempts.
The drama included an attempt from Archibald which was disallowed after the video umpire ruled the hooter had sounded before the ball went over the line.
Hilton had an opportunity to win the game in sudden-death, but the ball was deflected on to the cross bar.
During regulation time, there were few goal-scoring chances at either end, as Canada rattled the Black Sticks and turned over the ball.
Canadian goalkeeper David Carter was outstanding, his balance and precision saving any attempts New Zealand had on goal.
With the score still locked at 0-0 at the start of the fourth quarter, the pressure mounted.
Southern's Kane Russell, who was playing his 50th international game, rued a great opportunity to knock home an attempt in front of the goal.
• The New Zealand women's team was beaten 3-1 in the first of two tests against the Netherlands in Holland yesterday.
The tests are part of New Zealand's build-up for the women's World League semifinal which runs from June 20 to July 5 in Antwerp, Belgium.
Northland's Brooke Neal scored New Zealand's lone goal from a penalty corner in the fourth quarter.
World League
The scores
New Zealand 0
Canada 0
Halftime: 0-0.
Penalties: Canada 8-7.
