Hockey: Black Sticks undone by Spain

Bradley Shaw of the Black Sticks (R) fends off a Spanish player. Photo / Getty Images

The Black Sticks will have to topple Australia on Saturday to have any chance of playing in the Champions Trophy final after they were beaten 3-2 by Spain tonight.

Shane McLeod's side have shown a penchant for the dramatic in this tournament after their 6-1 dismantling of Korea and then last-gasp 3-3 draw with the Netherlands on Tuesday night but they couldn't provide a repeat performance against Spain.

They lacked the spark of previous games but they were also undone by a slick Spanish outfit who will have their own claims for the title.

New Zealand targetted a top-four finish at the start of the tournament, and they will be guaranteed that, but there will now be a sense of disappointment they couldn't put themselves in a stronger position to play for the major medals.

They still could but must beat world champions Australia in their final top-four match on Saturday to have any chance of meeting the same opponent in Sunday's final.

The result will be a welcome one for the Netherlands, who were beaten earlier in the day by Australia 4-2 and they can qualify for the final if they beat Spain on Saturday.

The Black Sticks have shown, however, they are making good progress at a good time with the London Olympics rolling around.

Not since the halcyon days of 1976 have New Zealand occupied a seat at the top table of world hockey and they are looking increasingly comfortable there after qualifying for the top four with their dramatic 3-3 draw with the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

It is a good place to be for a team not originally invited to the Champions Trophy even though they were ranked inside the world's top eight - the tournament was originally scheduled for India - but they wanted more.

They opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Andrew Hayward, who rifled in a penalty corner, and Ryan Archibald came close with a low drive that was well saved but Spain went to the break level after Ramon Alegre slapped in the rebound after New Zealand goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex had saved a penalty corner.

Blair Hilton gave the Black Sticks a 2-1 lead just 60 seconds after the restart following a clever run from Shay McAleese along the Spanish byline but it seemed only to spark Spain into action.

They attacked at pace with a number of slick passing movements and the Black Sticks didn't help themselves as they often gave away possession deep in their own half.

It finally told when Eduard Tubau was put clear beyond Dean Couzins and scored with 28 minutes remaining in the match.

David Alegre scored the winner with less than five minutes on the clock as he darted into the circle and drove across Pontifex's goal.