Hockey: NZ men's hopes turn to 5th place

By MARK GEENTY

ATHENS - New Zealand are eyeing a consolation prize in the men's hockey tournament this week after South Africa failed to oblige to keep them in the medal hunt.

Any chance of a medal has now gone for New Zealand despite back-to-back wins, including a tense 2-1 victory over India on Saturday.

The pool B semifinal places instead went to Australia and the Netherlands.

New Zealand had been banking on South Africa drawing with Australia at the Olympic Hockey Stadium, but Australia, after being level 2-2 at halftime, got up 3-2.

The top two from each pool qualify for the medal rounds, and the next two contest fifth to eighth, for which New Zealand need just a draw with South Africa in their final pool match at 5.30 tonight.

"South Africa have performed very well in this tournament and we hoped they might pull off a draw," coach Kevin Towns lamented.

"But you've got to do it yourself and we didn't.

"We're not in the medal race, but provided we can keep the standard up for the next few games, we're staring down the barrel of doing the next best thing, which is fifth."

India were tough opponents in the late-morning heat, but some solid defence led by Dion Gosling and more impressive saves from goalkeeper Paul Woolford denied them.

Phillip Burrows scored his third goal of the tournament to give New Zealand the lead in the 37th minute, but Indian veteran Dhanraj Pillay replied in his 414th match with nine minutes left.

Then came the drama, which ended with a jubilant Shaw being mobbed by his teammates and India unsuccessfully protesting the ruling that allowed Shaw his final attempt.

"I've missed that final goal twice, in the qualifying tournament then against the Netherlands, so to finally get it in was just sheer relief," a grinning Shaw said.

- NZPA