Hockey: England humiliated by rampant New Zealand

"It was just one of those days," said the England manager, Chris Pickett, following his team's 5-0 thrashing by New Zealand in their second game at the Champions Trophy in Macau yesterday. "We did not compete in the first half and failed to convert penalty corner opportunities."

It was a disappointing performance following the 1-1 draw with China in the opening game on Saturday, when Canterbury's Mel Clewlow had slammed home a penalty corner and China's captain, Zhao Chen, equalised.

Against the Kiwis, they struggled to control midfield in a first half which saw New Zealand score twice through Suzie Pearce and Jaimee Provan. England got their game together a little better after the interval, but New Zealand sealed the match with two penalty corners, Provan getting her second and the other going to Michelle Turner.

With two goals at penalty corners disallowed, England's woes continued and they failed to score from nine penalty corners. Three minutes from time, Piki Hamahona finished off a breakaway for the Kiwis against the run of play.

A disappointed England coach, Trish Heberle, made no excuses. "Players should be able to adjust to any pitch and any situation, including heat. We were just disappointing and flat."

Tomorrow, England play the defending champions, Argentina.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS TROPHY (Macau): Saturday: Argentina 1 New Zealand 0; Australia 0 Netherlands 0; China 1 England 1. Sunday: Argentina 1 Netherlands 1; New Zealand 5 England 0; Australia 0 China 1. Standings after two rounds: 1 Argentina 4pts; 2 China 4; 3 New Zealand 3; 4 Netherlands 2; 5 Australia 1; 6 England 1.

RABOBANK FOUR NATIONS (Amstelveen): Saturday: India 1 Australia 3; Netherlands 1 South Korea 1. Sunday: India 2 South Korea 2; Netherlands 3 Australia 1. Final placings: 1 Netherlands 7pts; 2 Australia 4; 3 South Korea 3; 4 India 1.