Hockey: NZ stumble to draw with Germany

New Zealand secured their first point of the Champions Trophy but will need other results to go their way to retain their tournament place after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Germany in Lahore, Pakistan, today.

Having lost their first three matches to the Netherlands, Pakistan and Spain, New Zealand were favoured to topple an under-strength Germany.

This year's Olympic bronze medallists left 14 of their Athens squad at home and, like New Zealand, had lost their first three matches this week.

New Zealand had the better of the match but the familiar scenario of poor finishing haunted them as they desperately sought the matchwinner in the dying minutes.
They were left hoping hosts Pakistan would beat India in the late match tonight, then topple India themselves in their final match tomorrow (7pm NZT) to finish in the top-four.

That would guarantee them a spot in next year's tournament, having made this year's edition for the first time in 20 years.

New Zealand led 1-0 at halftime after a penalty corner goal to Phillip Burrows in the 25th minute, who deflected David Kosoof's drag flick.

It was Burrows' first goal of the tournament, having been New Zealand's topscorer with seven in Athens in August.

Germany rarely threatened New Zealand from general play but in the 43rd minute they took their chance to drew level from a penalty corner.

Jan-Marco Montag nailed the drag flick for his third goal of the tournament.

New Zealand threw everything at Germany in the last 10 minutes, with captain Simon Towns hitting over the goal after a strong solo run, then hitting the post after good leadup work from Blair Hopping.

It left New Zealand with just five goals from four matches.

North Harbour midfielder Hopping was named man of the match after a strong allround game.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands moved a step closer to a hat-trick of Champions Trophy titles after storming into the final with a 4-2 win over fellow unbeaten side Spain.

Karel Klaver led the way with three goals for the Dutch, who have won five of the last eight titles of the top-six tournament.

Spain need a draw against hosts Pakistan tomorrow to join the Netherlands in the final.

- NZPA