Hockey: Shaw denied as NZ go down in thriller

7.30am - By MARK GEENTY

ATHENS - Just a few centimetres denied New Zealand a deserved draw with the Netherlands as their Olympic men's hockey campaign hit the skids in heart-wrenching fashion today.

The Dutch, ranked second in the world, won a thriller 4-3 but big defender Hayden Shaw had the chance to draw level with the last play of the match. His penalty corner attempt flew just wide of the left post with the Dutch goalkeeper lying prone.

It was a cruel end for Shaw who scored from his first two penalty corners, deflected off the goalkeeper onto the crossbar with his third then missed with the final match-decider.

Striker Phillip Burrows scored New Zealand's other goal from close range after they trailed 1-3 with half an hour remaining.

New Zealand heads drooped low as they left the Olympic Hockey Centre with their second straight loss after a 1-4 hiding from Australia, and they are now only a remote chance of making the semifinals.

"There are no prizes for playing nice hockey unfortunately. I'm pleased with the guys' effort and the style we played, but exceptionally disappointed," captain Simon Towns said, adding there needed to be some "crazy" other results involving Australia and Netherlands for them to progress from pool B.

New Zealand, ranked nine places lower than the Dutch at 11th, had targeted at least one draw from their opening two matches as the bare minimum.

Next up are India, Argentina and South Africa who all need to be beaten soundly.

- NZPA