New Zealand assured themselves of a berth in the Champions Challenge men's hockey final with a 3-3 draw against the tournament hosts in Antwerp, Belgium this morning (NZ time).
After getting a point from the roller-coaster match, New Zealand top the standings on 10 points and will finish
in the top two from round-robin play regardless of the result in their final match against top seeds Argentina on Saturday night.
They will contest the final on Monday morning against either Argentina or India, with the winners earning promotion to the elite Champions Trophy tournament next year.
Argentina, on nine points, will be the final opponents unless the Black Sticks beat them tomorrow and India defeat Japan.
New Zealand's defence was exposed for the first time today by Belgium, who led twice in a rollicking first half.
The hosts hit the front via Thomas Briels in the seventh minute before striker Simon Child struck from the top of the circle in the 14th.
Xavier Reckinger had Belgium on top again three minutes later but an attacking run from Child ended when he was pushed in the back, resulting in a penalty stroke converted by defender Dean Couzins.
Auckland teenager Child added to an influential match with his second goal via some nice deception at the top of the circle followed by a rasping shot.
Charles Vandeweghe slotted the equaliser 3min after halftime and an attractive match surprisingly went goalless for the remainder, with New Zealand creating more chances but unable to convert.
There was concern when captain Ryan Archibald was forced from the field clutching his side following a collision in the fourth minute.
He didn't return to the game but did some light jogging during the halftime break.
New Zealand manager Kevin Marr said key playmaker Archibald had injured his ankle and would undergo an x-ray to assess the damage.
It was hard to assess whether he would be fit for Monday morning's final.
Marr said his team's error rate had been higher than previous matches in the tournament and that the team had started poorly.
"In the end we were going for the draw, because we knew that would be enough." he said.
- NZPA
