They must start winning if they are going to have a chance of reaching the Olympic quarterfinals in France.
They fell 2-0 to Argentina yesterday morning. That followed a 2-1 loss to Belgium and a 3-2 defeat to India.
That has left the Black Sticks in a tight spot.
The Kiwis will reflect on several missed opportunities which might have shifted the outcome against Argentina.
New Zealand started with strong intent. They controlled possession and looked like the more dangerous side despite a 10-minute yellow card for Joseph Morrison.
But the second quarter was a more balanced affair until Argentina created something out of nothing with a crash ball into the circle.
Goalie Dominic Dixon stopped the shot initially, but Argentine striker Domene was on hand to slap in the rebound.
The third quarter presented New Zealand their most promising opportunity. Scott Boyde found himself one on one with the Argentine goalie but was left frustrated as his shot hit the left post.
New Zealand earned a brace of penalty corners early in the fourth quarter.
But their challenges continued when Kane Russell, the team’s primary drag-flicker, was injured in a collision and had to leave the field, unable to return.
New Zealand pulled their goalie with four minutes remaining and went searching for an equaliser.
The Black Sticks earned two penalty corners but failed to convert either.
Argentina sealed the win in the final minutes with a game-ending counter-attack.
A deep aerial was sent to the other end of the turf and Argentina had an open goal and finished with precision.
Otago’s Malachi Buschl got on for his Olympic debut during the game. He was initially named as a travelling reserve in the squad.
His presence in the side lifted the Otago quota to four players.
Buschl made his international debut in 2018 on the tour of India.
