Thrilling win for New Zealand

The win gave New Zealand four points from two matches — they drew 2-2 with Britain on Friday — and kept their hopes alive of finishing among the top six qualifiers for the Sydney Olympics in September.

For Belgium, it was their second successive defeat after the 2-1 loss to South Korea.

New Zealand’s fightback started a minute before half-time when Brett Leaver converted a penalty corner to make it 1-3.

In an exciting second half, the Kiwis made it 3-3 within the first nine minutes, before Belgium again took the lead in the 49th through a field goal by Joeri Beunen.

Umesh Parag, playing with three stitches sustained in the previous match against Britain, made it 4-4 for the Kiwis in the 56th minute.

Craig Reynolds then scored the match-winner eight minutes before the final whistle with a penalty corner — New Zealand’s third conversion of six penalty corners in the match.

New Zealand take on hosts Japan in their next match, while Belgium play Poland on Monday.