A goal in sudden-death extra time denied New Zealand fifth spot at the women's hockey Champions Trophy after Japan claimed a 4-3 win in Rosario, Argentina.
The Blacks Sticks had twice battled back from deficits to force the match into overtime but a strike from Japanese star Rika Komazawa ensured they wouldn't complete their comeback with victory.
Japan, ranked ninth in the world, took a 2-0 lead into the break at halftime after goals from Akane Shibata in the third minute and from Izuki Tanaka.
It was a deserved lead after a subdued first half from the sixth-ranked Black Sticks but they were vastly improved in the second stanza.
Katie Glynn halved the deficit six minutes after the resumption and, after four penalty corners in quick succession, world young player of the year Stacey Michelsen got a deflection from a strike from captain Kayla Sharland to equalise.
They went behind again when Kaori Fujio tapped in at the far post after a deft touch from Komazawa.
With less than two minutes left, a Glynn strike from a penalty corner deflected high into the net to send the game into overtime.
Both teams had chances to snatch the match before Komazawa was rewarded for an inspirational display with her fifth goal of the tournament.
NZN