Hockey: NZ juniors make World Cup semis

New Zealand have reached the medal playoffs of the Junior World Cup hockey tournament and will meet the Netherlands on Saturday morning (NZT) for a place in the final.

The junior Black Sticks lost their last second round match against Australia 0-2 this morning, their first defeat in seven matches at the tournament.

They finished second in their group after Pakistan destroyed Korea's semifinal hopes with a 5-1 defeat.

New Zealand had earlier drawn with Korea and beaten Pakistan.

Their semifinal meeting with the Netherlands will be a re-match after both teams drew 2-2 in the first round.

Saturday's other semifinal will be between Australia and Germany.

Australia enjoyed most of the possession from the opening whistle today and scored in the 26th minute from a penalty corner by Joshua Pollard.

New Zealand fell further back after a defensive blunder eight minutes later. Aaron Kleinschmidt intercepted a cross-field pass at the top of the circle and took two touches before slotting in a reverse-stick hit to put his team up 2-0 up.

New Zealand tested the Australian defence in the second half and earned several penalty corners but found Australia goalkeeper Leon Hayward hard to beat.

Australia were reduced to nine men for eight minutes after two yellow card infringements but the Kiwis could not find the net despite numerical advantage.

"I compliment Australia. I thought it was a pretty even contest but and I thought they played exceptionally well," New Zealand coach Peter Miskimmin said.

"Australia pressed our back four and we made a vital mistake just before half-time.

"We had too many corners but without any results so there are a few things we need to fix."

New Zealand have never advanced beyond the first round at the Junior World Cup.

Germany won the title in 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1993 and Australia won in 1997. The Netherlands have made the final once in 1985 and finished third in the inaugural tournament in 1979.

"To come to an international hockey tournament and to know that Germany, Holland and Australia are in the semifinals and little old New Zealand are there as well makes us enormously proud as this doesn't happen very often to us," Miskimmin said.

"I think it's difficult going into the semifinals because everyone knows each other and seen all the games and every team is trying to improve their own performance," Miskimmin said.

"So we have to be in a `finals' mind and we have got nothing to lose."

- NZPA