Spain record third successive win

Spain overcame a fighting New Zealand side to retain the top spot in the hockey Champions Trophy.

Spain overcame a fighting New Zealand 3-1 on Tuesday to record their third consecutive win and retain the top spot in the men's Champions Trophy field hockey tournament.

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Pau Quemada scored two penalty corners and Santiago Freixa netted a superb reverse flick after a solo run down the centre to bring Spain victory after both sides were locked goalless at half-time.

Darren Smith scored a consolation goal for the Kiwis to level at 1-1, but it was not enough to prevent his side plunging to their third defeat in the six-nation round-robin league.

Spain, who finished fourth at the Athens Olympics in August, have nine full points from three matches with crucial games ahead against title contenders Netherlands and Pakistan.

The Dutch and the hosts, who have six points from two matches, face off later on Tuesday in a key encounter.

The top two teams from the league will contest the final on Sunday.