The Black Sticks men's hockey team has beaten the Netherlands 2-1 in the first of their warm-up games at the Olympic venue in Beijing.
The win over the highly regarded team, ranked third in the world, comes as a huge boost leading up to the side's opening Olympic match against Korea on Monday night.
New Zealand quickly settled into their stride and dominated most of the first half. The Dutch looked like they found the early morning start hard work, and New Zealand enjoyed large periods in possession.
The first goal was scored after two minutes when a rebound from a penalty corner fell to Gareth Brooks at close range for a simple finish. To emphasis the New Zealand dominance, the penalty corner count at half time was 5-0 and New Zealand extended their lead with a successful conversion by Hayden Shaw just before the break.
Holland upped the tempo in the second half and the New Zealand structure and pattern lost some of its shape. The Dutch reduced the deficit with a goal of their own from a counter attack from a midfield turnover, however New Zealand deserved their victory.
James Nation should return to the playing sixteen tomorrow after splitting his thumb at training and Simon Child continues to make good progress in regard to his broken index finger.
