Hockey: NZ falter late to lose opener

New Zealand showed encouraging signs despite losing their opening match 1-3 to world No 1 the Netherlands at the Champions Trophy women's hockey tournament in England today.

The New Zealanders threatened to cause a boilover against the Olympic champions before three late goals sealed their fate.

They actually led 1-0 when Clarissa Eshuis scored from a drag flick in the 49th minute but could not sustain the intensity as the Dutch responded in style with late strikes from Eva de Goede, Maartje Paumen and Kim Lammers.

The New Zealanders, ranked No 9 in the world, did not have long to enjoy their lead because de Goede levelled the scores in the 51st minute before Paumen gave them the lead in the 67th minute and Lammers sealed the result 2min later.

In other results today, Germany beat China 2-1 and England upset defending champions Argentina by the same scoreline.

New Zealand are making their first appearance at the elite Champions Trophy event since 2006 and they last won a match in the tournament in 2002.

They next play China tomorrow morning (NZT).

Results:

Netherlands 3 (Eva de Goede, Maartje Paumen, Kim Lammers) New Zealand 1 (Clarissa Eshuis). Halftime: 0-0.

Germany 2 China 1, England 2 Argentina 1.

- NZPA