KEY POINTS:
New Zealand let a two-goal advantage slip, finishing with a 2-2 draw against Japan in their men's hockey international at Gifu overnight.
After beating the hosts 3-1 on Sunday, the disappointing Black Sticks didn't enjoy the same dominance in the second game of a five-test tour of Japan.
The tour is being used as a buildup for next month's Oceania Cup involving Australia and Papua New Guinea which doubles as the region's qualifier for next year's Beijing Olympics.
On another warm evening, the ninth-ranked New Zealanders started brightly with several scoring chances although they were often caught short by Japanese counter-attacks.
The Black Sticks opened the scoring midway through the first spell when a long ball from Dean Couzins found Phil Burrows inside the circle on the right and he made no mistake.
The lead was double soon afterwards when Simon Child penetrated the circle on the left and slipped the ball to Jan Peterson, who scored from close range.
Some slick Japan passing resulted in their first goal soon after the break and the world No 11 ranked team snatched the equaliser via a penalty corner four minutes from time that beat goalkeeper Paul Woolford.
Result:
New Zealand 2 (Phil Burrows, Jan Peterson) Japan 2. Halftime: NZ 2-0.
- NZPA
