6 Aug 2010

Penalty corners hurt Black Sticks men

1:23 pm on 6 August 2010

The penalty corner was New Zealand's undoing at the Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament in Germany on Friday morning.

The short corner has been the Black Sticks' Achilles heel. They failed to convert either of their chances in the game and have scored from just one all tournament. And they've also had trouble defending them.

Spain scored from the set piece three times, including a controversial goal after the final whistle that robbed the New Zealanders of victory.

Coach Shane McLeod says it should never have been given.

Nick Wilson, Simon Child, Phil Burrows and Steve Edwards scored for New Zealand.

They're now fifth on the six-team table, but a win over England in their final pool match could still have them make the final.

Australia have booked their place in the final after beating Germany 3-1 while in the day's other match, England beat the Netherlands 4-3.

All five of the other teams are in with a chance of meeting Australia in the decider.