Black Sticks reach final

New Zealand will play Pakistan in the final of the Champions Challenge hockey tournament in Argentina tomorrow (7.35am NZT) after beating Argentina 3-2 in this morning's semifinal.

Local fans were silenced when Andrew Hayward tucked home a penalty-corner in the second minute of play, setting the tone for the match played at Salta.

Stung by the early goal, Argentina went in search of an equaliser and besieged the Black Sticks' goal but were kept at bay by some solid defence.

After a series of near misses, their pressure paid off on their second penalty-corner. Pedro Ibarra powered the ball out of reach of Kyle Pontifex in the New Zealand goal.

Prolific striker Phil Burrows scored against the run of play in the 32nd minute to give the Black Sticks the lead going into the break.

The Black Sticks tightened their play in the midfield after the breather and it took a while Argentina got a look at their goal from a penalty-corner shot wide by Pedro Ibarra.

New Zealand were more efficient at the other end and scored on their first incursion into Argentinean territory through Shea McAleese.

Striker Simon Child shone in the last 10 minutes, setting up two chances for Burrows who was unable to beat Argentina goalkeeper Juan Espinosa.

Argentina narrowed the gap in the 66th minute through Lucas Vila after a counter-attack from deep inside their territory but the Black Sticks locked the game down in a tense finish to come out deserving finalists.

Pakistan beat India 6-3 in the other semifinal.

The winners of the tournament will qualify for next year's elite six-nation Champions Trophy tournament

- NZPA