Hockey: Stunning result so sweet for Wilson

The Black Sticks play Spain tonight in their first play-off match. Photo / Getty Images

As if the stunning draw against the Netherlands wasn't sweet enough for Black Sticks' forward Nick Wilson, he also had the pleasure of putting one over four of his clubmates.

New Zealand's 3-3 draw against the Netherlands was enough for them to progress alongside the Dutch to the top-four play-offs of the Owen G Glenn Champions Trophy tournament at the North Harbour Hockey club.

They play Spain tonight in their first play-off match, but it was not looking good for the New Zealanders early in the second half as they found themselves down 3-0 however, spurred on by a vocal home crowd and some impressive mental and physical toughness, they got home in the final minutes thanks to a dramatic penalty stroke by captain Dean Couzins.

And the result was extra special for Wilson, who plays for the Rotterdam club alongside Jeroen Hertzberger, Roderick Weusthof, Pirmin Blaak and Robert van der Horst.

"It was a little bit personal as well, you know, you want to go back to Rotterdam and say 'we beat you','' Wilson said.

The 21-year-old will make the trip back to the Netherlands in February next year - in time for the finals in May - with honours shared, but the Dutch desperately wanted to beat the Black Sticks in order to take Germany (and the three points from their victory over the Germans) through to the top-four play-offs. As it is, the Netherlands and New Zealand will each take one point forward.

In the meantime Wilson has the small matter of a Champions Trophy tournament to complete, with the Black Sticks already assured of their best finish in the competition.

While Wilson and his team-mates were relaxing at Auckland's Mission Bay today, thoughts weren't too far away from their matches against Spain tomorrow and Australia on Saturday.

The Black Sticks lost their opener to Germany 2-1 but in their other two pool games against South Korea, a 6-1 victory, and their thrilling draw with the Netherlands, they have warmed into their work.

They took that to extremes against the Dutch, though, and that is the one area concerning Wilson.

"Once we got that kick in the face so to speak we started to get that Kiwi fire and everyone started to push up and we were more aggressive,'' he said. "That's the way we are when we play really well. Sometimes it takes some goals for us to get into that mode but we can't afford to let that happen in the finals. We have to try to start like that and keep it up for 70 minutes.

"Australia consistently have been number one for three or four years. They are really tough to be beat and Spain on their day can beat anyone. They've got some really good players who they might rely on a bit much but they can damage you if you don't keep on top of them.''

Wilson, who looked particularly sharp against Korea on Monday, said he was a doubtful starter for yesterday's match due to a hip injury which has come on top of a left knee problem, but he came through the match okay.

"It's been difficult settling back into the New Zealand environment due to injuries but I'm starting to get on top of it now and starting to feel really good on the turf because I didn't have much practice on it before the tournament. I probably did about two trainings and the other guys were training about twice a day for two weeks.

"Hopefully my form will get better and better.''

Named during the week as a nominee for the international young player of the year award, there is every chance it will.