Nic Woods (right), of New Zealand (right) celebrates his goal from a penalty corner during the men’s FIH Field Hockey Pro League match against Belgium at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland yesterday. Photo: Getty Images
The hosts scored first through a Hugo Inglis penalty stroke, But Belgium struck back quickly through a Cedric Charlier goal.
Maxime Plennevaux scored for the visitors just before half-time for a 2-1 lead at the break. Aidan Sarikaya tied things up in the third quarter with with a powerful reverse-stick finish from an unlikely angle. Both teams scored again and the match ended 4-4 before going to a penalty shootout. Belgium comfortably won the shootout 4-2 to take the extra point. Earlier, the Black Sticks women’s team conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 to Belgium.
The women’s side remains winless in the competition heading into next week’s clash against Great Britian and former coach Mark Hager in Christchurch.
