New Zealand beat Canada in close game

New Delhi: Ryan Archibald's strike minutes before the hooter helped New Zealand edge past Canada 3-2 in a Pool A match of the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Monday.

Going by the world rankings, there is little to choose between the two teams and it showed on the field as they put up a fighting performance. New Zealand are ranked eighth in the world while Canada are three places behind them.

Canada opened the scoring in the first minute of the match through Mark Pearson before Priyesh Bhana (11th minute) equalised for New Zealand. Canada again took the lead through Philip Wright (20th) but New Zealand levelled through a penalty corner strike from Nicholas Haig (47th ). Archibald sneaked in with a goal merely four minutes before the end to bring relief to the New Zealand camp.

It was the lower ranked Canada who surprised the Black Sticks with their very first move when Pearson, taking advantage of an off guard New Zealand defence, slammed the ball past goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.

Indian origin striker Bhana, who came in place of Simon Child after he pulled out from the tournament, sounded the board with a move from Phillip Burrows. Bhana's first shot was saved by goalkeeper Dave Carter but he skillfully managed to put it across on the rebound.

Canada got the lead back when Sukhwinder Gabbar Singh's long hit from the midfield was trapped by Wright in front of the goalmouth and he made no mistake. Canada were 2-1 up at the halftime.

Both teams stepped up the attack in the second half, though Canada were also strong in the defence and thwarted some good New Zealand moves.

New Zealand got the important equaliser, converting their first penalty corner through Haig.

It was an allout attack after that as the teams looked for the winner. The goalkeepers on both sides -- Pontifex of New Zealand and Carter of Canada -- made good saves off penalty corners.

Archibald, whose father Jeff was a member of the 1976 New Zealand team which won gold medal in Montreal Olympics, finished off in style with a fine strike.