Having dealt to South Korea 4-1 in their opening match, New Zealand were beaten 2-1 by Germany in their second pool A game in Rio. After the Spanish, beaten 2-0 by China in their last match, New Zealand play the Netherlands and sixth-ranked China. Now the world No 4 New Zealand women's hockey team face a tall order to get a favourable quarterfinal draw when the Olympic tournament reaches the sharp end. The Blacks Sticks now have a day off to ponder their situation before facing world No 14 Spain early tomorrow (NZT). The Black Sticks have three games left before the knockout stage, including one against the world's top ranked Dutch team.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 09, 2016 20:03 UTC