The New Zealand women's hockey team's hopes of contesting the Champions Trophy final ended this morning when they lost 5-3 to South Korea in Amsteleveen, but the defeat was tempered with the news they have automatically qualified for next year's tournament.
South Korea took a 2-0 lead after 13 minutes before two goals inside a minute got the Black Sticks on level terms. Katie Glynn deflected a cross past the South Korean goalkeeper to halve the deficit before Charlotte Harrison made it 2-2.
The score stayed the same until halftime, but South Korea retook the lead in the 42nd minute before New Zealand struck back immediately when Cathryn Finlayson deflected a Anita Punt penalty corner to make in 3-3 with 27 minutes remaining.
But the Black Sticks' hopes of taking the match were dented when Jong Hee Kim's shot from a tight angle went through goalkeeper's Bianca Russell's legs.
Kim made the result safe with her third goal from open play in the 67th minute and after the match Blacks Sticks coach Mark Hager lamented his side's poor defending.
"We are frustrated to have lost that game. We started slow, fought back really well but we conceded too many goals and you can't do that at this stage of a tournament. Our defensive structure was poor, especially in our defensive circle," he said.
There was better news for the Black Sticks when the International Hockey Federation announced the top five from this year's Champions Trophy automatically qualify for next year's tournament, guaranteeing the Black Sticks, who can finish fourth at worst, a spot in the competition.
The Black Sticks play world champions Argentina on Saturday night.
