NZ MISS CHANCE TO SNATCH POINTS

The New Zealand Men’s Hockey Team are still seeking their first points in Paris as they came up against another inform goalkeeper.

They fell 2-1 to Belgium this morning in a match of fine margins where the Belgian’s took their chances and the Kiwis perhaps left a goal or two on the turf.

Belgium took an early lead from a penalty corner with Tokyo Olympics top goal scorer Alex Hendrickx flicking home the goal.

It was a double blow for New Zealand as Simon Child was injured in the process, and he wouldn’t return for the rest of the game.

There was a clear separation in quality between the two sides in the opening stanza but New Zealand grew into the game and came roaring out of the quarter break.

Hayden Phillips found himself in space at the edge of the circle and unleashed a powerful shot which was expertly saved by Vincent Vanasch.

Not to be outdone at the other end Dom Dixon also made a number of crucial saves throughout the game.

New Zealand applied good pressure in the third quarter and eventually found their way through when Phillips found the stick of Sam Lane with a slick pass across the face of the goal.

The joy of equalising was short-lived as Belgium went ahead straight from the restart with Florent Van Aubel scoring a world class volley.

New Zealand now have a day off before taking on Argentina on Wednesday 3am NZT.