The New Zealand women's hockey team have lost their semi-final against Australia at the Champions Trophy in Argentina 3-0 on penalty strokes, after regular time ended 1-1.
Black Sticks captain Anita Punt Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Captain Anita Punt opened the scoring from a very early penalty corner, and the Black Sticks looked set for their first-ever final at the elite tournament, as stout defence held out the Australians until the third quarter.
But the Hockeyroos equalised, then, just as in the 2012 Olympic Games semi-final against The Netherlands, and this year's Commonwealth Games bronze medal match against England, the New Zealanders choked in the shootout.
Goalkeeper Georgia Barnett came off the bench to save one penalty stroke but a save by the Australian keeper and misses by Punt and Stacey Michelson ensured the Black Sticks' miserable record in crucial shootouts continues.
It's the 11th time the Hockeyroos have made the elite event's final scheduled for Monday morning.
Australia will play the hosts Argentina who pipped the Netherlands 2-1 in the second semi final.
That means New Zealand face the Dutch in the curtain raising play off for bronze, their second ecounter at the tournament after a 1-all draw in pool play.
