Hockey: NZ coach Borren furious as Netherlands snatch draw

New Zealand coach Jan Borren launched a scathing attack on The Netherlands for unsporting tactics after his side were held to a 2-2 draw in the Champions Trophy women's hockey tournament in Macau last night.

At the post-match press conference, Borren said the Dutch had been "unsportsmanlike" and shown "cynical" behaviour, adding they were lucky not to lose.

"They deliberately checked our number three (Paula Enoka) for their second goal... I find that unsportsmanlike and hockey doesn't have any room for that.

"To be honest, we are sick of the way the Dutch team plays. They are always complaining and are cynical about every decision that the umpires make.

"Someone needs to say something about the unsportsmanlike behaviour as something needs to be done. Their general behaviour on the field should be addressed."

The result leaves New Zealand fourth in the table with four points but still in with a chance of bettering their fifth placing at last year's tournament.

They play their last match tomorrow against hosts China and need to win to stay fourth or possibly finish third if results of other matches go their way.

China have been the spoilers in the tournament, having beaten Australia and drawn with England, The Netherlands and last night, held top seeds, Argentina, to a 1-1 draw to hold third place in the table with six points.

Assitant coach Selwyn Maister told NZPA while it was a physical game, the Dutch had also used a lot of pushing with their hands to put the New Zealand players off their game.

He admitted Borren had been very upset that the Dutch equaliser had been awarded -- adding that as it was, this was just the second time in 25 years that New Zealand had drawn a match with the Dutch, the first coming just before last month's Commonwealth Games.

The Dutch, seeded No 2, had got away to a flying start, striking in the second minute with a deflected penalty corner variation from Minke Booij.

But the Black Sticks, who have been consistently improving with every game, struck back.

Led by their forwards, who worked tirelessly in both attack and defence, the New Zealanders put the Dutch under great pressure.

"Jaimee Provan was outstanding on the left and when she moved to centre-forward with some effective runs," Maister said.

Two penalty corner goals midway through the second half from forward Colleen Gubb-Suddaby and midfielder Tara Drysdale put New Zealand 2-1 ahead against all expectations.

New Zealand could have made it a commanding 3-1 in the 58th minute when a Piki Hamahona rocket hit the post from a penalty corner.

Four minutes later and against the run of play, the Dutch scored the equaliser through Fatima Moriera de Melo.

"The players appealed to the umpire to consult the other umpire who had seen the push in the back by the Dutch player but the goal stood," Maister said.

That sparked an intense final few minutes for the Black Sticks who showed their mettle, throwing back the desperate Dutch who have failed to fire at this tournament.

The draw left the Dutch, finalists last year, winless after their first four games of the tournament.

"The team are playing very good hockey. This is our fourth time at the Champions Trophy and they are now playing with the belief they deserve to be among the top six in the world," Maister said.

In the other match last night, Australia beat England 2-0 to move into second place on the table.

- NZPA