Hockey: NZ on the board at last

7.20am - By MARK GEENTY

ATHENS - New Zealand were tallying up the body count but mercifully had something to show for it as they opened their Olympic men's hockey account with a spiteful 3-1 win over Argentina today.

Mitesh Patel and James Nation were both carted off dazed after they took nasty blows to the head from the ball, Patel with a deep cut below his left eye, and while both returned they will need medical clearance before Saturday's clash with India.

But in a niggly match with endless whistle, which saw yellow cards dealt to two Argentinians and two New Zealanders -- captain Simon Towns and big defender Hayden Shaw -- the men in black converted their dominance into an overdue three tournament points.

Goals to Shaw, Bevan Hari and Phillip Burrows gave New Zealand their first win after a flat 1-4 loss to Australia and a heartbreaking 3-4 defeat to the Netherlands.

Their medal chances remain remote, needing to beat India and South Africa in the next four days and hope either Australia or the Dutch are upset in the semifinal race.

"It's a huge relief, it's been a long path to get three points. We were well below par against Australia, maybe a few Olympic nerves," coach Kevin Towns said.

"We played very well tonight and deserved the win so we're extremely happy."

Relishing the cool of the evening instead of the hot late morning, New Zealand took on the Argentinian flair in a match that flowed from end to end.

They also got vocal support from a noisy contingent of New Zealanders, including the victorious Tall Blacks basketball team who were free with their advice for the umpires.

Shaw was not as deadly from penalty corner range as he was against the Netherlands, having four chances brilliantly saved by the Argentinian goalkeeper who charged out.

Their unorthodox corner defence also included a sinister Friday the 13th-style mask worn by one of their defenders.

Shaw though opened the scoring at his second corner attempt after New Zealand trailed 0-1 early on, levelling the scores after 11 minutes.

New Zealand did more attacking but Argentina were deadly on counter attack, their first goal coming after a Shaw corner was saved.

Argentina were reduced to nine men late in the half when Portuguese umpire Pedro Teixeira got over-zealous, a symptom Towns believed of Argentina's brutal clash with Australia two days ago.

"Really it destroys the game because we paid for what they'd done in the Australian game.

"It's a tough game but that's how we like it."

It was level 1-1 at halftime but New Zealand tasted the lead for the first time at the Games when Burrows pounced on loose ball and Bevan Hari backhanded a shot into the net.

The game was put almost beyond doubt with 15 minutes left from a penalty corner, when Shaw went right to Darren Smith who deflected and the ever-alert Burrows put it away from waist height.

The match threatened to boil over but New Zealand kept their cool at the end, even when Towns, who again marshalled the midfield expertly, was marched for a professional foul.

Next up is India in the heat of the day on Saturday, a team more at home under the hot sun.

"It'll be fast and furious, hopefully we hold onto the ball longer than they do," Towns said.

"We've done it the hard way but we want nine points out of three games."

- NZPA