Black Sticks lose to Australia in penalty shoot-out

8:29 am on 14 October 2010

The New Zealand women's hockey team have lost their gold medal match 4-2 on penalties to Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The Black Sticks fought right to the end of the nail-biting match, forcing the game into extra time after a last-minute goal levelled the match at 2-2.

New Zealand trailed 1-0 at halftime, but came out strongly in the second half, and equalised when an Australian player was green-carded.

The Hockeyroos soon hit back with another goal, and despite some good shots on goal from New Zealand, Australia's defence held strong.

The Black Sticks converted a penalty with just 40 seconds remaining, and the match was forced into golden-goal extra time.

Neither side was able to find the back of the net during the two seven-and-a-half minute periods, and the game had to be decided in a penalty shoot-out.

Shooting second, New Zealand missed their first two attempts, and despite good work by Beth Jurgeleit in goal, Australia converted four of their five shots to claim gold.

The silver medal is the best finish by the Black Sticks' women at the Commonwealth Games, with their only other podium placing a third at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.

Coach Mark Hager says the players were gutted after losing the penalty shoot-out and it was a frustrating way to end the tournament.

However, he says making it to the final shows the Black Sticks can compete with the best in the world and sets them up nicely for the London Olympics in 2012.

Men's team lose semi

The New Zealand men's hockey team earlier lost their semi-final 6-2 to the gold medal favourites Australia.

Both sides put on a good defensive battle for much of the first half, before Australia scored the first goal about 10 minutes before the break.

New Zealand looked to ease off in the heat, and Australia scored twice more to take a 3-nil lead into half-time.

Australia were the first to score in the second half, but New Zealand's Blair Hilton brought one back for the underdogs, and captain Phil Burrows scored another to make it 4-2 and lay the foundation for a comeback.

But two late goals to Australia sealed the win for the world number ones, who will play India for the gold medal.

New Zealand play England, who lost to India, for the bronze on Thursday.