Flying Dutch snatch win with big comeback

Hosts the Netherlands have mounted a come from behind win to defeat the Black Sticks Men 4-2 in the third and final test in Groningen.

The Black Sticks played a strong first half which saw them race out to a 2-0 lead over the world number two side thanks to goals from Nick Wilson and Stephen Jenness.

But the Dutch lifted coming out of the break and poured on four unanswered goals to snatch the result away from the Kiwis.

Head coach Colin Batch said the result was disappointing but there were plenty of learnings to come out of the game which will help them become a better team.

"I thought we had a really good first half and it was pleasing to be able to execute on our chances and go out by two goals," he said.

"We knew a team as good as the Netherlands were always going to come back, and they certainly did. We werent able to contain them at all at times in the second half.

"The result is disappointing but it was more good experience against a top class team, and shows us what we need to work on going into the Six Nations and Rio Olympic."

The Black Sticks were on form from the opening whistle and Nick Wilson opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a well-worked field goal.

New Zealand doubled the lead in the 26th minute when Stephen Jenness knocked home from a penalty corner deflection.

Trailing by two goals, the Netherlands lifted in the third quarter with goals from Bob de Voogd and Robert van der Horst to erase the advantage and level the score at 2-2.

The Dutch grabbed the lead for the first time in the 49th minute after a Rogier Hofman field goal before Jelle Galema sealed the result with his sides fourth goal two minutes from fulltime.

The Black Sticks now travel to Valencia for a Six Nations tournament with their opening game against hosts Spain on Tuesday 28 June at 6am (NZ time).

Hockey New Zealand have arranged for all Black Sticks games at the Six Nations to be streamed LIVE through www.hockeynz.co.nz and www.blacksticks.co.nz

BLACK STICKS 2: (Nick Wilson, Stephen Jenness)

NETHERLANDS 4: (Bob de Voogd, Robert van der Horst, Rogier Hofman, Jelle Galema)

Halftime: Black Sticks 2-0



- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ