The New Zealand men's hockey team have suffered their first loss at the World Cup in the Netherlands, going down 3-1 to Argentina.
After a scoreless first half, Argentina powered home thanks to a second half hat-trick by Gonzalo Peiillat, who scored all three of Los Leones' goals from penalty corner drag flicks.
Down 1-0 the Black Sticks scored a brilliant goal to equalise with Phil Burrows drilling a free hit into the circle where Stephen Jenness put a pin-point deflection through the goalkeeper's legs.
With the score locked up the New Zealanders went searching for the winning goal but conceded two more penalty corners that Argentina were able to put away.
Despite the loss, the Black Sticks remain at the top of Pool B level on six points with Argentina and the Netherlands but ahead on goal differential.
The Netherlands however have a game in hand.
The Black Sticks men now move on to a crucial game against Germany Sunday night at 8:30pm, NZ time.
Meanwhile, the Black Sticks women, who have just one win from their three games so far, face a must-win match against Japan Sunday morning at 3:30am, NZ time, if they're to have any chance of advancing past the pool stage.
