Hockey: Players, coach furious as Spain sneak a draw

By SUZANNE MCFADDEN

With tears of fury in his eyes, New Zealand hockey coach Jan Borren spat a verbal attack last night after his team's hopes of Olympic gold stuttered in the final 15 seconds against Spain.

Spain's controversial equalising goal moments before the final whistle turned the pitch into a scene of frenzy - the New Zealanders mobbing the umpires, the Spanish screaming in delight.

It was a fractious, confused and sad way to end what should have been a victory to the New Zealanders that would have buoyed their chances of making the Olympic final.

A furious Borren stormed toward the team bus, but he then turned and launched his assault.

"I find it a pity the players have trained for four years to have an umpire decide to throw her power around. It's hugely frustrating," Borren fumed.

"I wish that the umpires would actually umpire a game for the players instead of always for their own power trip."

The subject of his anger was British umpire Gil Clarke, who made a series of questionable calls against the New Zealanders throughout the match, including disallowing a goal, then sinbinned New Zealand defender Rachel Petrie when her foot knocked the ball.

But the most telling call was with 18 seconds till fulltime, with New Zealand 2-1 up, and a free hit on the edge of their defensive circle.

The Kiwis stuttered over who would take it, and Clarke ruled they were time wasting. In a split second the Spanish had pounced on the ball and scored, ending the match on a sour note.

"There was no excessive time taken," Borren said. "If she wants to throw her weight around on the field in order to influence the game, she shouldn't be, she should be controlling it. And it's absolutely disgusting umpiring in all respects. Leave me alone," he cried as he turned away.

But even with one more game left, the final is still a long way from decided. Despite the draw, New Zealand can still reach the gold medal play-off. But they will have to beat Argentina tomorrow, and rely on the Netherlands winning over Spain and unbeaten Australia beating China.

Notorious for scoring against the run of play, Spain's first goal from a Sonia Barrio penalty corner shot 10 minutes into the match came after New Zealand had dominated the start.

New Zealand's attempt to equalise was ripped off them. In a corner move, Tina Bell-Kake's push bounced off goalie, Suzie Pearce flicked up the rebound and Mandy Smith slapped it into the net.

Clarke whistled the goal, but when the Spanish whined that it was too dangerous, she changed her decision - ruling Smith's stick was too high.

The Kiwis made it 1-1 in another corner, Smith potting a deft touch on the corner post. They went ahead from a corner, too, through Kate Trolove.

Their attempts to hold the ball and play for time eventually backfired in the final seconds, Nuria Camon tapping in the equaliser as the Kiwis stood in shock.