The New Zealand men's hockey team has missed their first opportunity to qualify for next year's Rio Olympics after failing to make the semi-finals of the World League tournament in Buenos Aires.
The Black Sticks captain Simon Child. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
They have been beaten in a penalty shootout in their quarter-final by Canada, who are ranked eight places below them.
The Black Sticks were heavily favoured to beat the lower ranked Canadians, but were frustrated by their opponents solid defensive with the game ending scoreless after regular time.
The shootout went to 14 shots each before Canada won. Two of New Zealand's most experienced players Ryan Archibald and Simon Child missed all their attempts.
New Zealand will now go into the series of qualification matches for fifth to eighth and must finish as high as possible to keep their Olympic hopes alive.
In the semi-finals, Germany will play the Netherlands, and Canada are likely to play Argentina.
The New Zealanders' next opportunity to qualify for the Olympics is the Oceania series against Australia later this year.
