3 Dec 2012

Black Sticks still winless at Champions Trophy

11:37 am on 3 December 2012

The New Zealand men's hockey team remain winless at the Champions Trophy following a frustrating 4-2 loss to India on Sunday in Melbourne.

The Black Sticks found themselves up 1-0 early after an own goal.

However, it wasn't long until the Indians struck back with a goal of their own which seemed to lift their intensity and spark the side into action.

Down 3-1 at half-time, the Black Sticks men looked likely to mount a comeback in the second half after an entertaining period of play saw them dominate possession culminating in a goal from Nick Wilson.

But India surged again late in the match, with their fourth goal sealing a second successive win at the tournament.

The defeat keeps New Zealand at the bottom of Pool A with one game to go before the quarter-finals stage.

The Black Sticks coach Colin Batch says the result was frustrating with much of the side's hard work undone by errors but says there's belief that the side can keep improving.

The Black Sticks play their final game of pool play against England on Tuesday.