Under-strength Black Sticks exposed in India

An under-strength New Zealand were exposed as they fell well short of their target of a top four finish at the hockey World Cup at New Delhi, India .

A 2-5 defeat to defending champions Germany in their final group match this morning (NZ time) saw the Black Sticks slip into the playoff for 9th and 10th against South Africa on Friday.

Any hopes of even reaching the 7th-8th playoff were dashed when Argentina hung on to beat a spirited Canada 3-2 in their last pool game earlier and pip the Black Sticks by one goal on goal difference. Argentina will play India for 7th-8th.

Earlier, upset 2-1 by the Koreans in the second match of the night, the Netherlands suffered their first loss but still progressed to a semifinal against Australia on goal difference leaving Korea to play for 5th-6th against Spain.

Germany ended pool play as the only unbeaten team.

New Zealand had it all to play for in their final pool game but simply, particularly for long periods in the first half, they were well off the pace.

Sloppy, often misdirected, passing led again to a wealth of turnover ball. Forced to play catch-up the Black Sticks seldom looked likely.

The shortcomings of a below-strength team were exposed with McLeod later admitting the performance here will open the way for a couple of players at home.

It was obvious at this tournament the team missed the experience the Shaw brothers, Hayden and Brad, provide. Coupled with the loss of strikers Simon Child (withdrew before the tournament) and Phil Burrows, the gaps were evident.

"There are some who will need to look at themselves," McLeod said without being drawn on just who is under the microscope.

After being 0-2 down at halftime following an opportunist deflected goal from Christoph Menke in the 15th minute and from a second grab at a penalty corner 13 minutes later, the Black Sticks dropped further behind 11 minutes after the break.

Again the goal came from a deflection with Philipe Wiite getting his stick to a ball played into the circle by Jan Phillipe Rabente.

New Zealand rallied and for the next 20 minutes took the game to a German team unbeaten in 17 previous matches.

From a penalty corner in the 50th minute Shea McAleese pounced on the loose ball to push home.

Four minutes later it was double delight when Nick Wilson was rewarded with his team's best goal of the tournament as he ran on to a long ball, beat a would-be tackler at the top of the circle and beat goalkeeper Tim Jessulat.

Encouraged, they went in search of more with Blair Hopping continuing to add midfield impetus by pushing forward from his customary defensive post. Two minutes after scoring their second they again unlocked the German defence but just failed to produce a telling shot.

Germany converted two of those late penalty corners to take the victory by three goals which in itself was disappointing for the Black Sticks in light of their spirited fightback.

"Those late goals against us were crucial and in the end cost us dearly as Argentina got up over Canada to push us out of the 7th-8th play-off," said McLeod.

"We came here wanting to make the semifinals or at least the top six which would have been our best ever result but once we lost Phil Burrows I felt we would struggle." Ryan Archibald was again their "go to man" but it was too big an ask even for a player of his unquestioned skill to carry the workload he found himself lumbered with.

"Again, I thought Ryan did very well," said McLeod.

"But too often he was left with no partner to work with.

"On the flip side, the young guys have gained from the experience of playing here."

He agreed the World Cup was not the stage to experiment and learn.

Only players at the top of their game should set foot on the turf at this level. Too often too many fell short of that.

- NZPA