The New Zealand men's hockey side have made a scratchy start to the final stages of their Olympic preparations with a 2-1 defeat to Belgium in Lier, Belgium, this morning.
The Black Sticks are ranked seventh in the world, four places higher than Belgium, but couldn't capitalise on their second-half dominance.
New Zealand coach Shane McLeod said the match was played at a frenetic pace but expected his side would be a lot sharper for the second match overnight (NZT) given they arrived in Belgium only three days ago.
"If we'd showed more patience and skill on the ball, I'm sure the result would have been different,'' he said.
Belgium took the lead in the 16th minute from a penalty corner but the Black Sticks responded a minute later when Simon Child latched onto a drag flick from Andy Hayward that hit the crossbar.
