The New Zealand women's hockey team has been beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands in the gold medal match at the World League Final in Auckland.
Black Sticks defender Rose Keddell does battle with a Dutch rival. Photo: Photosport
The world number one ranked Dutch were held well by the Kiwis early in the match but gained momentum as time progressed.
After a fiercely fought opening quarter, Netherlands stamped their mark with two goals in quick succession to open a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Kelly Jonker found the back of the net from close range in the 24th minute before Maria Verschoor added her side's second just one minute later thanks to a crashing reverse stick shot into the corner.
Laurien Leurink delivered another goal for the visitors early in the third quarter and while the Black Sticks continued to fight they weren't able to find a way past the defence of Netherlands, which did not concede a single goal at the tournament.
It was a disappointing finish for the Black Sticks, who couldn't manage a win in pool play but went on to beat third ranked Argentina 2-1 in the quarterfinals and world No 2 England 1-0 in the semis.
The Black Sticks lost to Argentina in the decider at the last World League Final in 2015.
During the medal presentations, New Zealand captain Stacey Michelsen took away the best player award while team-mate Sally Rutherford was named best goalkeeper.
Head coach Mark Hager paid credit to Netherlands after the match.
"I thought we played well for the first 10 minutes and fell away after that. We conceded two goals in the second quarter and both were a bit soft," he said.
"They hurt us through the midfield so plenty of lessons learned - we need to start again and be better next time. We've got to match the intensity for the whole game and not just bits and pieces.
"The Dutch were better tonight, they didn't concede a goal all tournament so you've got to give them credit. They are a class act with a lot of depth in their team."
In the bronze medal match, Korea held on for a 1-0 win over England thanks to an eighth minute Jongeun Kim penalty corner goal.
Meanwhile, the draw for next year's World Cup in London has been released with the Black Sticks in the same pool as Australia, Japan and Belgium.
