Video: Work to be done for Olympics, says Black Sticks coach Mark Hager

  • 16/12/2015
Mark Hager (Getty Images)
Mark Hager (Getty Images)

Black Sticks coach Mark Hager admits his team still have plenty of work to do ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The world No.4-ranked side impressed at the Hockey World League tournament by reaching the final, but were outclassed 5-1 by hosts Argentina in the gold medal match.

"It's pleasing to get a silver medal, just not the way we went about it. The disappointing thing is we didn't play well in that final," Hager said.

"To get to [the final] we we're very proud, and to get [silver] we're proud, but just not of that performance."

Hager said it was encouraging to pick up a medal less than a year out from the Rio Olympics, but believes his team need to fix up a few areas before they head for Brazil.

"The last game gave us a lot of wake up calls, we've got a lot of work to do still.

"But also having Stacey Michelsen winning player of the tournament shows that we’ve got some good quality players in our team."

Michelsen echoed Hager's comments, adding that making the final was a positive sign of their intent.

"It was awesome for us to make it into that final, I think that was something which we recognised as soon as we played  the semi-final that we had made a step forward in terms of our preparations," said Michelsen.

"Hopefully we gain experience from [the final], and look to make more finals throughout next year."

Watch the full interview with Mark Hager and Stacey Michelsen.

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