Hockey: Black Sticks bounce back with win over Canada

MELBOURNE - New Zealand bounced back from their opening round loss to beat Canada 4-1 today but still need to topple Australia or rely on other results to make the Commonwealth Games men's hockey medal rounds.

A double to young Canterbury defender Shea McAleese and goals to Gareth Brooks and Simon Child was enough for New Zealand to open their account.

It also avenged their pre-Games result when Canada beat them 1-0 in the second test to clinch the series in Auckland.

Today was a more polished showing after some sleepy defence in yesterday's 3-4 loss to England which left them a mountain to climb to make the semifinals.

Standout striker Phil Burrows was a constant thorn in Canada's side and he laid on New Zealand's first goal in the fourth minute when he beat two men then crossed to Brooks who slotted home.

Canada levelled in the 17th minute from a penalty stroke to Wayne Fernandes after the ball hit the body of defender Dean Couzins and went in after the umpire's whistle.

New Zealand reclaimed an advantage they never relinquished seven minutes before halftime when Burrows again did good work, laid off to veteran Darren Smith who found an unmarked McAleese who thundered home from the top of the circle.

Canada, playing their first match of the tournament, struggled to finish their rare chances at the other end as the defence held.

The match was all but sealed 11 minutes after the break when Burrows again probed, the penalty corner was won and McAleese scored from a clever variation bypassing Hayden Shaw.

A jubilant Child, 17, got his goal two minutes from time from a slick reverse shot.

New Zealand's next match is against Scotland on Monday before they play Australia on Wednesday.

- NZPA