The New Zealand women's hockey team have been given a wake-up call after losing 3-0 in a practice game against The Netherlands in Amsterdam, less than a week ahead of their opening match at the Champions Trophy in the same country.
The Black Sticks coach Mark Hager says it is a reminder to the team that when you are playing at the top level you have to play hard at all times otherwise goals slip through.
Due to it being a practice game rather than an official Test match, players were rotated continuously throughout the game.
The Netherlands, ranked second in the world, showed urgency and had the ability to move the ball on quickly and create scoring opportunities.
The seventh ranked Black Sticks play their final practice game against Korea at half past midnight on Thursday before the Champions Trophy begins in Amsterdam on Sunday.
