KEY POINTS:
Netherlands 3 New Zealand 0
The Netherlands brought something closer to their A game to Lloyd Elsmore Park last night to beat a plucky New Zealand team.
The win, after Sunday's 2-1 loss squared the three-test series.
New Zealand coach Shane McLeod conceded his team must now
lift their game if they are to return to winning form and take the honours in Friday's decider in Mt Maunganui.
The Dutch, smarting from that first-up loss, wasted no time in showing why they have long been regarded as one of the world's best.
From the outset there was more urgency.
After repelling some brief early Black Sticks pressure they turned the screws.
Breaking deep into New Zealand territory, Ronald Brouwer provided the ball in and Roderick Weusthof the close-range finish for 1-0 after just five minutes.
The Dutch continued to press and won an early penalty corner which New Zealand cleared.
Some trademark slick passing, with Floris Evers and Matthijis Brouwer showing out, had the New Zealand midfield under continual pressure.
With the defenders pushing forward to assist in the engine room, Matthijs Brouwer played a classic defence-splitting ball through to Timme Hoyng who went to the line before crossing to Laurence Doherty who gave goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex no chance from close range for 2-0.
Stung, the home side worked their way back into the game and enjoyed some concerted pressure for the last 10 minutes of the first half.
They forced a penalty corner after good play from Ben Collier, Jan Petersen and Bevan Hari but uncalled for delaying tactics by the Dutch dashed hopes of a quick strike.
A second opportunity a minute later was dragged in by Hayden Shaw but deflected by goalkeeper Klaus Veering.
That spirited home team offensive spilled over into the second half but Phil Burrows and Hari were unable to get much-needed final touches.
From one such attack, the Dutch broke away, swept down field and Matthijs Brouwer provided the final touch and the goal which dashed any Black Sticks hopes of a comeback.
There were half chances for the home side but they went begging with wayward passing and the failure to turn balls played into scoring positions into goals.
Simply, they were not clinical or hungry enough when it counted.
"The Dutch lifted their intensity just as we expected," said McLeod. "And, we didn't handle it.
"I'm sure the players will not be happy with the game they presented tonight.
"It is disappointing to have the opportunities we did and not test their goalkeeper.
"We did not perform as well as we can and to the level we expected."
McLeod went away with plenty to work on before the Blake Park decider.
For the Dutch it was a masterful exhibition with their blend of young and experienced players too good on the night.
They backed that with their undoubted ability to bounce back emphatically and ensure there will be something to play for in the series finale.