Jo Harten’s misfiring England suffered World Cup agony yet again.
The Roses shooter was gutted after England, unbeaten in the group stage, fell short in the semi-finals for the eighth successive time.
It was New Zealand who booked their spot in today’s final against holders Australia.
For Tracey Neville’s Roses, they face South Africa in the bronze-medal match. And they will be wondering what could have been after another heartbreaking loss.
“I’m utterly devastated,” said shooter Harten.
(Image: Getty Images)
“That was the most realistic shot we’ve ever had of getting into a World Cup final and we fell short.
“I’m absolutely gutted but we can’t go away from here with our heads hung low, because we gave it absolutely everything.
“It came down to fine margins and fine lines but I never thought we were going to lose. It wasn’t until the last 15 seconds that I thought this is not our day.
“Unfortunately we missed too many shots and too many passes went astray in our attacking end, which let us down.”
The much-anticipated last-four clash could not have started in a more nightmarish manner as the Kiwis smothered the Roses’ every attempt to score.
The first time England did win an opportunity, Harten dropped her attempt short. The stunned fans in the red-and-white covered arena in Liverpool had to wait more than four minutes before Helen Housby finally put a goal on the scoreboard for England.
(Image: Getty Images)
England’s attacking errors sent New Zealand into the first break 12-9 ahead.
Neville delivered a masterstroke by introducing Natalie Haythornthwaite at wing attack for a flagging Chelsea Pitman and switched Harten and Housby’s roles in the circle.
England’s attack was energised and went on a scoring surge, nailing 10 goals to New Zealand’s one in the last six minutes to go into the half-time break with a 24-21 lead.
But it wasn’t to be as England’s attacking struggles resumed in the third quarter. New Zealand hit three goals without reply to bring themselves level and then hit five more to go into the last break three goals ahead.
England never pulled themselves closer than two again as the Silver Ferns held out.
Neville said: “I’m actually really proud of the players. They gave it their all. It was do or die and the pressure was on them.
“We didn’t start well enough, we had basic errors that we haven’t had throughout this tournament and we didn’t have the legs in the end to get back in the game.
“Now we’ve just got to pick ourselves up and go again.”
