The New Zealand women's hockey team fell to a 1-0 loss to Australia in their third game at the Tokyo Olympics though they remain on track for a place in the quarter-finals.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A solitary third quarter goal for Australia was the difference.
After four draws and two Australian victories in recent clashes between the two sides, the Hockeyroos took the three points today with a 1-0 victory to remain unbeaten at the top of Pool B.
The Black Sticks women now drop to third in the pool behind Australia and Argentina, and they will need some points from their final pool match with China for goal difference not to come into the equation in determining the quarterfinalists.
New Zealand were today without their skipper Stacey Michelsen, with her match time being managed after a month out with a hamstring injury, as well as defender Tarryn Davey with a minor groin strain.
Captain Sam Charlton said while today's result was disappointing they needed to move on quickly for a big match with China tomorrow.
"We didn't execute some things as well we would have liked and maybe didn't create as many opportunities as we would have hoped, but it's just really important we build on it for the next game."
The Black Sticks had earlier collected two wins in Tokyo - with a 3-0 upset against world no. 2 Argentina and 2-1 victory over Japan before going down 2-1 to Spain.
"We're disappointed not to have a couple more points on the board. I think we've left some games out there probably against Spain and against Australia," said Charlton.
Next up the Black Sticks play China at 12.30pm (NZ time) Saturday in their final pool game.
