Hockey: Late goal breaks NZ hearts

Black Sticks striker Simon Child.

New Zealand squandered a 4-2 lead, conceding a last-minute goal as Spain secured a 4-4 lead at the Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament in Germany overnight.

The Black Sticks had started confidently, boosted by their first win in 32 years at the elite six-nation event two days ago, a 3-1 win over the Netherlands.

Spanish goalie Francisco Cortes kept his team in the match early on, then Spain took the lead in the 15th minute when Roc Oliva's shot was deflected over the goal-line by Blair Hopping's stick.

The Black Sticks equalised four minutes later, Nick Wilson picking up up a great reverse stick shot by Simon Child and tipping it in.

Spanish captain Santi Freixa regained the lead, but New Zealand again equalised 17 seconds before halftime.

Ryan Archibald worked the ball into the circle and possession fell to Child, who fired a reverse stick shot home.

The New Zealanders came out firing in the second half, cptain Phil Burrows giving them the lead for the first time 10 minutes into the spell. Steven Edwards extended the margin in the 55th minute, but the Spanish fought back.

Ramon Alegre deflected a penalty corner shot of Pau Quemada into the goal, then Mequel Delas snared the equaliser from a penalty corner with five seconds left on the clock.

New Zealand's first two games of the tournament resulted in heavy defeats, 1-9 to Australia and 2-5 to Germany.

- NZPA