Hockey: Black Sticks fall to late Australian goal blitz

New Zealand were 15 minutes away from breaking a six-year winless drought against Australia before going down 2-4 in their Oceania World Cup men's qualifying tournament opener in Fiji yesterday.

Up 2-1 at halftime and still after 55 minutes, the Black Sticks were dumped with a dose of reality when the world No 1 Kookaburras snapped three quick goals.

The result didn't concern Black Sticks coach Kevin Towns, adamant his No 9 ranked team still had plenty in reserve for when the teams almost certainly meet again in Saturday's final.

"I was buoyed by the fact we were in the game so long," said Towns.

"We got a number of penalty corners, more than them, and we really didn't show our hand there."

New Zealand had the better of the opening exchanges, scoring in the seventh minute when striker Phillip Burrows struck a shot that appeared to deflect off an Australian defender.

Liam de Young levelled the scores after 15 minutes but Ryan Archibald restored the Black Sticks' advantage 10 minutes later when he pounced on the rebound of a Hayden Shaw penalty corner drag-flick.

The Australians grew stronger as the match progressed at Suva's National Hockey Stadium, where a seaside breeze helped reduce the effects of 30C temperature and high humidity.

Travis Brooks and Nathan Edlington scored within two minutes of each other before Michael McCann finished things off in the final minute.

"They scored their last goal in the last 30 seconds so it was pretty close right through until the end," Towns said. "I know it will be a different game in the final, I know Australia will step up."

The Black Sticks are expected to beat Fiji today, and the Australians likewise when they meet the hosts tomorrow.

It has been over six years since New Zealand upset the Australians - in the third test of the Oceania Cup in Brisbane in June 1999.

- NZPA