Wednesday, August 4, 2010

NZ end 32-year wait for Champions Trophy win


MOENCHENGLADBACH: New Zealand beat the Netherlands 3-1 for the first time since 1976 to end a 32-year winless drought in Champions Trophy field hockey on Tuesday.

New Zealand hadn't beaten the Dutch since the 1976 Montreal Olympics, in the semifinals en route to the gold medal.

The Black Sticks' second ever victory ended a tournament record 19-match winless streak dating to the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1978.

Simon Child scored early then Andy Hayward made it 2-0 from the Black Sticks' first penalty corner of this year's event.

Teun de Nooijer halved the deficit in the second half, the penalty stroke goal his 40th in tournament history and tying him for second all-time with Pakistan's Sohail Abbas.

But New Zealand rebounded two minutes later for 3-1, the first time since 1984 the Black Sticks have scored more than twice in a trophy match.

Two-time defending champion Australia maintained its perfect record with a third straight win, holding off England 3-2.

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