Hockey: NZ share four goals in thriller

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

The world's most exciting hockey team, Pakistan, reckon the New Zealand men should be going with them to the Olympics after last night's 2-2 draw in Auckland.

But it does not work that way.

New Zealand failed to qualify for Sydney, where Pakistan are ranked among the medal contenders.

Nevertheless, the young Kiwi team played every bit as fast and as wily as the Pakistanis last night at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

New Zealand even missed a clear chance in front of the goal in the dying moments which would have won them the first test of four.

Pakistan coach Iftikhar Syed, a double Olympic medallist in the 1970s, was impressed by the opposition.

"I like them very much," he said. "Even though they didn't qualify for the Olympics, the way they played against us they are good enough to be there. They just had bad luck."

Pakistan are fresh from drawing a four-test series with Australia team and chose New Zealand as their final stop before the Olympics.

Pakistan were ahead 2-1 at halftime, although New Zealand seemed to have the better of them in the first 35 minutes. Atif Bashir scored the opening goal, deflecting a free hit, well into the half.

New Zealand forward Phillip Burrows equalised by pouncing on a rebound from the goalie's pads, but Bashir scored again from a penalty corner on the stroke of halftime.

Veteran Darren Smith, who had a solid game at inside left, made it 2-2 after five minutes of the second half.

In the last minutes, the Pakistani defence bungled a clearance in from of the goalmouth, but Bevan Hari's shot flew over the top.

New Zealand defenders Alpesh Puna and Bevan Gibbs were outstanding on debut.

New New Zealand coach Kevin Towns agreed that the team would have made the Olympics had they played like that earlier in the season. "It was a superb game of hockey. It's hard to say if Pakistan were playing at full pace -they have an Olympics to go to. But it was still a hell of a pace."

Tomorrow night's test is at Rosedale Park in Albany.