Hockey: Plenty of drama in early clashes

New Zealand's Shay Neal. Photo / Greg Bowker

For most fans at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium yesterday the early Champions Trophy games were a mere sideshow to the day's main event - the clash between the Black Sticks and Netherlands - but the appetisers quickly became tasty delights.

With spots in the top four - and medals - at stake there was plenty to play for but few would have envisaged how events would unfold.

First-up, Great Britain, which was equal on points with Spain, had to win because their opponents had marginally the better goal difference.

When captain Barry Middleton broke the deadlock for 1-0 in the 24th minute with a penalty corner conversion, British hopes rose. Not for long. In an amazing blitz, the Spaniards hit back emphatically.

A minute later Eduard Tubau had levelled the scores. His goal from open play was followed within a minute by another from Pau Quemada.

By halftime (after 35 minutes), Spain were a giddy 4-1 ahead with four field goals as captain Santi Freixa and Jorge Dabanch joined in the action.

Their dreams shattered, the Great Britain players returned after the break promising better. They need not have bothered. The fired-up Spanish were in no mood to give their European neighbours a sniff.

In another four-goal rampage and with all but the eighth from open play, the embarrassing demolition was complete as Tubau and Freixa added second goals and Juan Fernandez and Roc Oliva (from a penalty corner) chimed in. That result catapulted Spain into medal contention along with pool A winners Australia.

The second game held even more interest for local fans.

To enhance the Black Sticks' hopes of progressing to the business end of the tournament they wanted a Korean win over Germany or at least a draw.

A loss for Germany would have given New Zealand the chance to progress even if they lost to the Dutch provided the margin was reasonably close.

A draw would pitch the Germans a point ahead of Shane McLeod's Black Sticks but their inferior goal difference would leave New Zealand the chance to progress with just a draw.

With Germany taking a two-goal lead into the break after late first half field goals from Florian Fuchs and captain Jan-Marco Montag, New Zealand were back to plan A and contemplating the need to win their showdown.

Then, the muddied waters became murkier as the Koreans scored one, then two and later a third goal for a 3-2 lead to send local hopes soaring.

Three minutes from time, Tobias Matania struck with a third German goal for 3-3. All six scored from the field. Thus, the Black Sticks only needed to draw the last of the 12 pool matches to progress.

The penultimate match between Australia and a Pakistan team without ace drag-flicker Sohail Abbas was a letdown as the Kookaburras romped home for a 6-1 victory, led by a hat-trick from Jamie Dwyer to cement their pre-tournament favouritism.