New Zealand secure qualification to Pool C
The Netherlands 3-3 New Zealand

New Zealand fought back from 3-0 down to claim a memorable draw with The Netherlands, a result which put both teams through to Pool C, the Championship Pool.

The Black Sticks fans turned up in their droves to North Harbour hockey stadium hoping that they would see their team book their place in the Championship Pool, and got exactly what they wanted in the most dramatic style. New Zealand found themselves 3-0 down early in the second half, but produced a epic fight-back that will live long in the memory of everyone who saw it. Goals from Blair Hilton, Phil Burrows and a dramatic penalty stroke from captain Dean Couzins two minutes from the end gave New Zealand the draw that they needed to progress into Pool C.

The Netherlands were superb in the first half and silence the home crowd with two incredible goals. FIH Young Player of the Year nominee Billy Bakker turned his marker inside out before cracking home a powerful reverse stick shot in the 28^th minute before Jeroen Hertzberger doubled the advantage a minute later with a ferocious drive into the top corner of Kyle Pontifex’s net.

Penalty corner ace Taeke Taekema made the score 3-0 in the 48^th minute with a typically accurate flick before New Zealand began their incredible fight-back. A wonderful pass from Ryan Archibald picked out Blair Hilton who scored New Zealand’s first in the 53^rd minute before Phil Burrows tapped home a second two minutes later.

New Zealand fought for their lives in the last fifteen minutes of the match, and even resorted to bringing on a kicking back in place of goalkeeper Pontifex. Incredibly, the tactic worked as the extra man allowed New Zealand to overload their Dutch opponents. The key moment arrived when Simon Child found a Dutch foot on the goal-line, with a penalty corner being upgraded to a penalty flick following an excellent video referral. Team captain Dean Couzins emphatically slammed the ball into the net to send the home crowd into raptures. It was a very special moment for the Black Sticks, who will now get the chance to fight for the title along with Australia, Spain, and The Netherlands.    

Netherlands – New Zealand 3-3 – Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy Men 2011

> Hosts New Zealand qualify for Pool C coming back from 3-0 down vs Netherlands, who also progress. Germany and Korea play for rank 5-8.
> New Zealand are the first team to come back from 3 goals down since Korea did so vs Spain in 2009 (5-5).
> The Dutch have qualified for the top 4 spots in their last 24 CT appearances.
> Billy Bakker has scored in every match so far for his team at Auckland 2011 (3 FG).
> Jeroen Hertzberger scored his 2nd goal at Auckland 2011 and his 9th in CT competition. He also scored against NZL in Holland's 3-1 win at the 2010 World Cup.
> Teake Taekema netted his 2nd goal of the tournament and his 47th in CT competition, including 43 PC goals.
> Philip Burrows scored his 2nd goal at Auckland 2011 and his 4th in CT competition.
> Blair Hilton's only previous CT goal also came against Netherlands in 2010: NZL - NED 3-1.
> Dean Couzins scored New Zealand’s first CT penalty stroke goal since 1984, when Robin Wilson scored the equaliser in 2-2 draw vs Australia.
> Netherlands scored the only penalty corner of the match. They are now on 2 for 11 at Auckland 2011.
> New Zealand remain on 1 for 5 penalty corners this tournament.

Netherlands – New Zealand (6 Dec 2011, 18:05) – Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy Men 2011

Head-to-heads
> Netherlands have won 3 of 4 Champions Trophy matches against New Zealand only losing their last encounter at Monchengladbach 2010 (3-1) through goals by Simon Child, Andy Hayward (PC), Blair Hilton and Teun de Nooijer (PS).
> Holland’s last CT win over the Black Sticks dates back to 2004 (5-2). This is also their biggest CT win over New Zealand.
> Holland’s last win over New Zealand in official matches came at the 2010 World Cup (3-1) goals by Ronald Brouwer, Taeke Taekema (PC), Jeroen Hertzberger and Phillip Burrows.
 
 
Netherlands Facts
>Netherland are through to the next round if Germany fail to beat Korea in match #10 or if Netherlands avoid defeat against the Black Stick. 
> If Netherlands, Germany and New Zealand all finish Pool B on 6 points from 2 wins, goal difference will be the first tie-breaker.
> The Dutch have been in the top 4 in each of their last 23 CT tournaments, since finishing 6th in 1986.
> Netherlands are on 1 for 10 in terms of penalty corners converted (10%).
> They are the only team that have not had any penalty corners awarded against them.
> Holland has conceded only 2 goals so far.
> Billy Bakker has scored in every match so far for his team at Auckland 2011 (2 FG).
> Rogier Hofman, Jeroen Hertzberger and Taeke Taekema (PC) are the other Dutch goalscorers.
> Taeke Taekema is all-time top goalscorer in CT competition on 46 goals. Teun de Nooijer is on 42 goals.
 
 
New Zealand Facts
> New Zealand need to beat Holland to progress to Pool C. 
> The Black Sticks have not reached the semifinals in their last four CT tournaments since finishing 4th in 1978.
> New Zealand and Australia have scored most goals after Day 2 (7 goals). 
> New Zealand have scored most field goals after Day 2 (6 FG).
> New Zealand recorded their biggest CT win ever by beating Korea 6-1 on Day 2. The Black Stick also broke their record for most goals scored in a CT match.
> The Black Sticks are on 1 for 5 in terms of penalty corners converted (20%).
> New Zealand have not conceded any goals from the 12 penalty corners awarded to their opponents.
> Nick Wilson and Andy Hayward are NZL’s all-time top scorers in CT competition on 5 goals. Simon Child is on 4 CT career goals.