KEY POINTS:
New Zealand posted their third consecutive European hockey tour loss overnight, going down 1-3 to Spain in Nifmegen, Holland, after a disappointing second half performance.
Spain opened the scoring quickly in the eighth minute but the Black Sticks hit back, bringing the score to 1-1 with a goal from Shea McAleese.
Four minutes before halftime New Zealand had another opportunity to score, but the shot from Simon Child hit the cross bar from close range and the teams went into the break tied.
The Spanish side regained the lead within five minutes of the second half.
The European side scored quickly off a free hit from outside the circle, when Hayden Shaw put the ball into the goal while attempting to clear it.
Minutes later New Zealand bungled another save, with James Nation deflecting a wide Spanish penalty corner into the goal.
The New Zealand side then managed to regain some control , but were unable to score again and were left with the 1-3 loss.
The defeat to Spain follows two losses to the world's top-ranked German side last week.
Germany and Spain are expected to be the strongest teams in New Zealand's pool at the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
The Black Sticks will next face Great Britain on Wednesday.
- NZPA
