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New Zealand's Shea McAleese - Source: Reuters -
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New Zealand's hopes of playing their first men's hockey
World Cup semi-final live on, but it is a big ask after they were
upset 1-0 by lower-ranked Argentina in nerve-jangling fourth round
action.
To reach the top four, Shane McLeod's Black Sticks must down
unbeaten defending champions and world No. 1 Germany in their final
pool match and then hope the Netherlands, already assured of
topping group A, do not lose to Korea.
Against the no-frills Argentines, the Black Sticks' lack of strike
power in front of goal was again cruelly exposed. None of the
handful of reasonable half chances they created ever seriously
threatened the Argentina goal.
"We are definitely lacking firepower up front," said McLeod,
reflecting on his team's second loss in four outings at the
World Cup. "There was a lot of turnover ball and, in the end, we
did not play enough hockey."
The Black Sticks are missing Brad and Hayden Shaw, and have
also been robbed of influential captain and attacking lynchpin Phil
Burrows through injury, while Simon Childs' decision to stay away
has also hit the team hard.
Too often the Black Sticks were punished in turning the ball over
or, worse, for mis-trapping on the sometimes uncertain
surface.
"It wasn't a case of nerves. Argentina are always tough and on most
occasions there is only a goal either way in it," said McLeod.
"Even when we are full strength they are a hard side for us to
handle.
"It is back to the drawing board. The Germans play a pretty
structured game which suits us but to take on the No. 1 team in the
world with key players out will be a big ask."
The teams were scoreless at halftime, Black Sticks goalkeeper Kyle
Pontifex twice denying Argentina early penalty corners.
New Zealand's first real chance came on the half hour when Ryan
Archibald played a great ball to Blair Hilton, but he failed to
covert.
Priyesh Bhana won New Zealand's first penalty corner in the 33rd
minute. Andy Hayward drag-flicked goalwards but his attempt was
blocked by an errant Argentine foot. Archibald stepped forward to
take the resultant stroke but was denied by goalkeeper Juan Thomas
Espinosa.
The second half was more of the same, with some tantalising half
chances but no reward.
Argentina scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute when
Pedro Ibarra charged deep on the right before whipping in a super
cross to Facundo Callioni at the far post.
Pontifex was left with no chance as Callioni deflected high into
the New Zealand goal.
There were late opportunities, the best falling to Hugo Inglis, but
again the Black Sticks could not convert and were left
contemplating what might have been.
