13 Mar 2014

Black Sticks draw with Japan

10:28 am on 13 March 2014

The New Zealand men's hockey team has drawn 2-2 with Japan in the opening match of their three-game series at Blake Park in Tauranga.

New Zealand scored the first two goals of the game and led 2-1 at half-time before Japan battled back to equalise from a penalty corner shot right on full-time.

The Black Sticks coach Colin Batch concedes it was disappointing to allow Japan to salvage a draw but says New Zealand can take plenty of positives from the game.