Hockey: Spanish wear down NZ

There were shades of the Kiwi league team as New Zealand slumped to a 3-1 loss to Spain in their match at the Champions Trophy hockey match in Lahore last night.

As they did against Pakistan two days earlier, New Zealand held highly-fancied tournament leaders Spain to 0-0 at halftime but then went down in the second spell by the same margin.

For the most part it was an encouraging effort from New Zealand in the top v bottom clash, but lapses at crucial times cost them.

Spain had the first scoring chance from a fourth-minute penalty corner but botched that as they did with their second when goalkeeper Paul Woolford got down well to save a drag flick.

New Zealand forced only one penalty corner in the first half, but Blair Hopping was just wide when the ball was played back to him at the near post.

New Zealand continued to battle but, unlike the Spanish who always seemed to receive the ball under little pressure, they were unable to turn possession into anything positive.

Bevan Hari had an early chance in the second spell, but could not beat the Spanish keeper who also denied Phil Burrows a minute later.

The Spanish broke quickly, forced a corner and Pau Quemada beat Woolford's despairing dive for 1-0.

In the 48th minute, New Zealand replied in a like manner with Lloyd Stephenson, who won the corner, playing the ball to his North Harbour team-mate Darren Smith who tapped in.

Eighteen minutes from time Quemada again scored from a penalty corner. New Zealand quickly got deep and forced one of their own but could not convert.

With six minutes remaining, Santi Freixa capitalised on some uncertain New Zealand defending to reverse stick a flick home.

Both teams had 10 shots on goal and New Zealand 11 circle penetrations to nine.

Another effort like that tonight could get them their first points when they play Germany.