The Black Sticks have suffered defeat in their second match at the World Cup in India, beaten 4-0 by three-time champions The Netherlands.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Three first-half goals and another in the final quarter resigned New Zealand to a convincing defeat against the world No 3 Dutch side on Monday night (NZ time).
After an opening 3-1 win against Chile, the result left the Black Sticks on three points heading into their final pool game on Thursday night against Malaysia.
New Zealand held second in the pool on goal difference, with third-placed Malaysia also beaten 4-0 by The Netherlands and only managing a 3-2 win over the Chileans in comparison.
The winners of the four pools advanced straight to the quarterfinals, with the second and third place teams going into 'crossover' matches.
With the Dutch heavily favoured to beat Chile, Thursday's match between the Black Sticks and Malaysia would likely determine who finished second in the pool and faced the third-placed team from pool D.
Ninth-ranked New Zealand were just one spot ahead of Malaysia in the world rankings.
- RNZ
