First Brazil, now the Black Sticks

Last year, Germany beat Brazil 7-1 to advance to the final of the World Cup. That scoreline was repeated again today, this time in women's field hockey. And again, the hosts lost. Seriously, what's next? The All Blacks losing the Bledisloe Cup, then the Rugby Championship, then the Rugby World Cup (not that anybody has ever successfully defended that)? But back to today's action: the women's Black Sticks have been crushed by Argentina 7-1 in their second Test in Gisborne today. The third world ranked side bounced back from yesterday's 1-nil loss to New Zealand in a rampant manner. Carla Rebecchi played a starring role up front, scoring four of her side's goals (the rest were scored by Delfina Merino, Martina Cavallero, and Gisele Yuarez) while the Kiwis could only muster one of their own through Kirsten Pearce. The Black Sticks now head south to Hastings tomorrow in preparation for the Hawke's Bay Cup which starts this weekend. New Zealand is joined by Argentina, Australia, China, USA, Korea, Japan, and India at the tournament, and they open their campaign against Japan on Saturday night. They better win this one and not choke at the end like the Black Caps did in Melbourne.