New Zealand's chances of making the Champions Trophy final have slumped after a 3-2 loss to Spain at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
The seventh-ranked Black Sticks must now beat defending champions Australia on Saturday in their second match in the top four semifinal series after Spain play the Netherlands.
Australia are through to Sunday's final after a 4-2 win over the Dutch, who could still make the final if they beat Spain.
Although the Black Sticks dominated much of the first half, they conceded a goal just before the break.
Despite scoring two minutes into the second spell, they gave the fifth-ranked Spaniards too much space on attack and conceded their third goal with four minutes to go.
Coach Shane McLeod says Australia will be a tough ask, but the Black Sticks will take heart from a recent win and a draw with the world's top-ranked team in the Oceania Cup.
