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Despite having numerous chances to score throughout the game, the Black Sticks Men were beaten 4-0 by world number 3 side The Netherlands on Monday in the first of two friendly matches at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.
Following the London Cup final against Korea on Saturday evening, the Black Sticks were sluggish in the opening spell and were made to pay, conceding two goals in the first 20 minutes. Strike forward Roderick Weusthof converted a reverse stick field goal and corner exponent Taeke Taekema scored on his fourth attempt.
The score line sprung the Black Sticks into action and created two clear field opportunities and a penalty corner which was well saved by the Dutch keeper.
The second half was more aggressive with the Black Sticks keen to get back into the game while Holland kept the pressure on and continued to attack. Both teams created opportunities, but it was Billy Bakker who stretched the lead to 3-0 when he scored off a penalty corner rebound.
In the second half, the Black Sticks had five penalty corner attempts and four opportunities on goal but they could not convert their chances.
With eight minutes remaining, strike forward Tim Jenniskens made it 4-0 with a superb reverse stick shot.
“Holland are a good team and we enjoy the opportunity to play them, we also enjoy it when we put them under pressure and consistent pressure was hard to find from us today,” said New Zealand coach Shane McLeod."We created some excellent opportunities in both halves and I'm disappointed not to have converted at least one of our six penalty corner attempts."
Black Sticks goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex was outstanding saving multiple penalty corner and field shots while Steve Edwards played with conviction in the midfield and Dean Couzins defended well at the back.
"We found it very difficult to win the ball from them” said New Zealand vice captain Dean Couzins. “We must learn to treasure the ball and execute our basics so we don't make so many easy turnovers."
The two sides meet again on Tuesday.
