****Official Hockey Discussion Thread****

[straw man]

Really disappointing result for the NZ men today, going down 2-0 to Korea. First ten minutes of the game we were all over them; then, for the rest of the first half we could barely get it out of our half, and Korea scored twice. Second half we were a bit better but the final ball let us down, and we also missed all three penalty corners we won. Makes it that much harder for us to qualify, means we'll have to beat at least one of Germany or the Netherlands, barring some major upsets. Korea looked decent, though not that great I thought - defensively they were very strong, but their main route of attack was to smash it into the circle and hope to find a player (which they did, twice).

I thought penalty corners used to be our specialty - what happened?

[_Ed_]

The women's team are doing well - they're up 3-0 against SA now after winning their first game. Awesome to see.

[Meridio]

I thought penalty corners used to be our specialty - what happened?

Hayden Shaw retired. Andy Hayward is okay at drag-flicking, but he's a decent step behind where Shaw was.

[Meridio]

NZ hockey team helping out with security. Nice chaps.

Anyway, our girls are about to take on Argentina. Big game, if we can get a win from this it might be enough to send us through to the semis. Argies obviously very good though; and since lost their first game to the Yanks they'll be pretty desperate to take points from this one.

[Burgey]

that blue field is hard on the eyes imo

Most of the female players aren't.

[flibbertyjibber]

Most of the female players aren't.

Some right tidy birds involved. Half will be beanflickers though.

[_Ed_]

Disappointing loss for NZ - 2-1, and they had a few good chances to equalise from what I saw. Hope they can still sneak into the semis.

[social]

Australian men should've put 10 past the Argies by now but only leading 2-1

Can see a late equaliser coming

[social]

As predicted

[Meridio]

Disappointing loss for NZ - 2-1, and they had a few good chances to equalise from what I saw. Hope they can still sneak into the semis.

Yeah, was a disappointing game from our girls. First 10-15 minutes we were asleep, playing terribly, and while we improved throughout the game we still turned the ball over far too easily. Crucial point in the game was in the second half when we missed an absolutely golden chance; Argentina then went straight down to our end of the field and scored.

Still definitely in with a chance to make the semis, but we absolutely cannot afford to slip up vs USA.

[nightprowler10]

Looks like Pakistan got a walloping.

[Johnners]

There's plenty of Glams playing hockey, but South Africa's no.21 (Marais I think her name is) is something of a leveller.

[Meridio]

Currently 2-2 at halftime vs USA. Have no idea how, we should be up by 3 or 4 goals, have missed some sitters plus the two goals we gave away were hopelessly soft. Also, one of the umpires is ****ing terrible.

[Burgey]

How did that game finish up?

[Meridio]

How did that game finish up?

We won 3-2. Was giving me heart attacks tbh. Think the Harrison sisters missed a combined four open goals between them tonight.

Makes it very tight at the top of the table. NZ & Aus on 9 points each, Argies are currently 2-0 up over Germany, if it stays that way they'll go up to 9 too while the Germs will be on 6. Final group games are NZ vs Germany and Aus vs Argies so it's all to play for. Might come down to goal difference, in which case we might seriously regret not putting 6 past USA today.