Disappointing defeat for hockey women

The New Zealand womens hockey team bowed out of gold medal contention in disappointing circumstances today, losing a penalty shootout to England at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

The match was locked at 1-1 at fulltime, and the game went straight into a penalty shootout, which England won 3-1.

It is the third time in recent years New Zealand has lost in similar circumstances.

At the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, New Zealand lost a penalty stroke shootout to Australia in the final after it was 2-2 at fulltime. At the 2102 Olympics, the New Zealand women lost to the Netherlands on a penalty shootout in the semi-final.

New Zealand went into todays match with a world ranking of fourth to Englands No 2, but the way they had been playing, the New Zealanders fancied their chances.

They began reasonably well, but as the game settled down, England were generally on top, passing well, defending more cohesively and looking more likely to score.

England broke through after 28 minutes when Lily Owsley scored. It was 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, New Zealand were poor. Their midfield was dominated by England and they struggled to string passes together.

Things looked very grim with a few minutes remaining, because New Zealand were reduced to nine players after Anita Punt was green carded, but was replaced at the same time. The captain, Kayla Whitelock, was then carded because her team still had 11 players on the field.

Stunningly, New Zealand then scored against the run of play. Krystal Forgesson belted the ball into the circle, Katie Glynn got a touch and suddenly it was 1-1.

Both teams had chances to score in the final two minutes, but could not convert penalty corners.

In the shootout, England looked far more adept. The England goalie, Maddie Hinch, did a good job of shutting down the New Zealand players, who looked diffident and unsure how to go about their task. Only Whitelock was able to convert her opportunity.

Its very disappointing, said New Zealand coach Mark Hager. They [New Zealand] didnt deserve to win. They were too timid out there, too individualistic, very uninventive. They didnt build their attacks as a team.

You cant win when only three of four players play well. There were some silly decisions made out there.

Hager said the team had done plenty of penalty shootout practice, but that the pressure of the situation told.

Whitelock said that it was one thing to do a penalty shootout session, as the New Zealand team did yesterday, but far more difficult to simulate the pressure of match conditions.

She said the players felt good before the game, but the moment the opening whistle sounded, some of them sank into their shells.

We didnt use our speed, or play the way we wanted, she said.

New Zealand will meet South Africa in the bronze medal match. South Africa lost the other semi-final 7-1 to Australia.