New Zealand

NZ men's hockey team hoping for a change in fortunes as they prepare to tackle Spain's unusual style at Champions Trophy

The New Zealand men's hockey team hopes to end its Champions Trophy struggles in Tuesday night's game against Spain.

The kiwis have lost their first two matches - 5-2 to the Netherlands and 3-1 to host nation Pakistan - and need a change in fortunes in their last three matches to qualify for the next Champions Trophy.

Coach Kevin Towns says his team's skills have been below par because of the break the players took after the Olympics.

He says the team's basics are rusty and there is plenty of room for improvement on Tuesday night.

Towns says the Spanish are the form side of the competition, but his players do stand a chance of winning, if they get their tactics right and stick to the game plan.

Towns says the Spanish have an unusual style so New Zealand will have to adjust.

He says they tend to get a bit of bounce when they dribble the ball, so his players will need to change their tackling technique and the way they defend.

On the flip side, Spain employs a full field press style of defence, therefore Towns says his team must get the ball quickly through the midfield and give the strikers some time and space.

The match gets underway at 6:30pm New Zealand time.

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