7 Dec 2009

Blacksticks coach admits New Zealand have trouble handling India

6:47 pm on 7 December 2009

The New Zealand men's hockey coach says he's happy with his side's 2-all draw with India at the Champions Challenge in Argentina, as the Blacksticks have always struggled against teams from the sub-continent.

It was the Blacksticks first game of the tournament and they got off to a horror start with India dominating the first spell to take a 1-nil lead at halftime.

However the Blacksticks fired up in the second half to level the game and were unlucky not to win after bombarding the Indian's goal late in the match.

The New Zealand coach Shane McLeod says although he felt his team deserved to win the draw was a good result.

Their next game is against Belgium on Wednesday.