The New Zealand women's hockey team has been beaten 3-2 by hosts Argentina in golden goal extra time in their play-off for third at the Four Nations tournament in Cordoba.
The Black Sticks played the first part of extra time with just 10 players after Charlotte Harrison was carded.
The result means the team lost all of its matches at the tournament but did show improvement as they prepare for this week's Champions Trophy tournament in Argentina.
Coach Mark Hager is calling on his team to show more accuracy and greater discipline at the elite tournament. He says their basic skill levels let them down on the 36 degree heat at Cordoba.
Hager says they weren't able to hold the ball in midfield and showed an inability to defend adequately around the top of the circle.
Aucklander Julia King scored her first goal for her country and the Black Sticks took the lead in the second spell thanks to Capital's Anita Punt converting a penalty stroke before the Argentinians equalised with a few minutes to go.
The Black Sticks had a good chance to take the match in the first spell of extra time with Punt crossing a superb ball to captain Kayla Sharland who was unable to put the winner away.
The winning Argentinian goal was a penalty corner in the last minutes of the second spell of extra time.
In the Four Nations final, Korea beat Great Britain 3-2.
The New Zealanders start their Champions Trophy campaign against Argentina at midday on Sunday January 29th.
