The Black Sticks were thrashed 5-1 by Argentina in the final of the Four Nations tournament at Blake Park in Tauranga last night. Argentina was in fine form, scoring four goals in the first half and, at times, leaving the home side scrambling in defence.
''They were just quicker than us everywhere on the field tonight,'' New Zealand coach Mark Hager said.
''They were much more dominant in the first half. At 4-1 I thought maybe we were in for a chance of a comeback, but when they got the fifth goal it was just too much of a lead.
''Argentina had 10 goal-scoring opportunities and scored five of them. We just let them run through the middle of the field. Their midfielders were just too good for us tonight,'' Hager said.
''The positive is that we have used the tournament to change players around and it has answered some questions regarding selections. Tournaments like this help us to expose some more players, too, so they know what's needed at that next level,''Seven-time world player of the year Luciana Aymar was a huge influence in the game, putting on a show for the Argentinean supporters in the crowd.
Aymar helped her side with the first goal after a brilliant pass to the outside of the circle was picked up and deflected in by Delfina Merino. She set up the second goal which was tapped in by Carla Rebecchi and then, in front of the goal, she scored the third one herself. A defensive error from New Zealand at the top of the circle led to Merino bagging one more before halftime.
In the second half, New Zealand got one back when captain Kayla Sharland took a shot from the top of the circle and up-and-coming player Cassandra Reid was there to deflect it in. Although the Black Sticks picked up the pace and played with more urgency, the lead the Olympic silver medallist had was too much to claw back and it was Giselle Juarez who scored the fifth and final goal.
As the final whistle sounded, the skies opened up, the lightning began and the Argentinean supporters ran on to the turf to celebrate and dance in the rain with their teamHager will soon name his side for the World League semifinal in Rotterdam in June. Third place went to the United States, which played an exceptional game against Korea.
After it was 0-0 at half time, the US went 1-0 up when Michelle Kasold cleverly weaved through defenders in the circle and Lauren Pfeiffer tapped it in.
Four nations
The scores
Argentina 5
Delfina Merino 2, Carla Rebecchi, Luciana Aymar, Giselle Juarez
New Zealand 1
Cassandra Reid
Halftime: 4-0
Play-off for third and fourth: USA 1 (Lauren Pfeiffer), Korea 0. Halftime: 0-0.
