06 December 2011 9:45
New Zealand Black Sticks draw with Netherlands
A superb fight-back has carried New Zealand into the top four playoffs at hockey's Champions Trophy in Auckland.
AAP - NZ
IMAGE: New Zealand's Matt L'Huillier (left) in action against Netherlands Roderick Weusthof in a pool B match of the Hockey Champions Trophy, Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. New Zealand will advance into the semi-finals after a 3-3 draw. (AAP/NZN Image/SNPA, David Rowland)
The Black Sticks, who needed only a draw against the Netherlands, had looked down and out at 3-0 behind early in the second half.
But they fashioned a comeback that was finished off when skipper Dean Couzins converted a penalty stroke two minutes from time to tie the contest at 3-3.
The result eliminated Germany from medal contention.
It also means New Zealand and the Netherlands will go through from Pool B into the next phase, where they will be joined by defending champions Australia and Spain.
The Netherlands, who had already qualified for the top four playoffs before the start, swung the contest firmly their way with two quick goals just before halftime.
Bill Bakker got the first after working his way past Couzins in defence.
Two minutes later, Bakker set up Jeroen Hertzberger, who rocketed an unstoppable shot high into the net.
Midway through the second spell, Dutch skipper Taeke Taekema showed off his famed drag flick skills to convert a penalty corner.
That signalled the start of a fightback that began with two New Zealand goals in two minutes.
Blair Hilton finished with a reverse shot after good lead-up work from Ryan Archibald, before Phil Burrows tapped in to set up a frenetic last 15 minutes.
Then came the award of the penalty stroke for a Dutch foot stopping the ball on the line and Couzins converted to a deafening roar.