A frustrated Black Sticks women side was beaten 3-1 by Australia at the Champions Trophy in London yesterday.
The Black Sticks were rattled by an early goal and struggled to convert attack into scoring chances, Anita McLaren claiming her side's only goal from a penalty corner. Trailing by one goal at halftime, the Kiwis were well in the game but suffered from two yellow cards awarded in the final 15 minutes.
Head coach Mark Hager said it was a frustrating result and they needed to improve going into a must-win match against Great Britain on Thursday.
"At the end of the day, you're not going to win with nine or 10 players, and we had a few cards in that game which really stopped us building momentum,'' he said.
"It's our fault. We had chances up front but weren't clinical in our finishing and then didn't stop the Aussies well enough in defence.''
Champions Trophy
The scores
Australia: 3
Emily Smith, Jodie Kenny, Grace Stewart
New Zealand: 1
Anita McLaren
Halftime: 2-1
