New Zealand wins bronze on penalty strokes

AP New Zealand and England players in action during their bronze medal match in New Delhi on Thursday.
New Zealand defeated European champion England on penalty strokes to claim the bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games men’s field hockey competition on Thursday.

After the score was locked at 3-3 and extra time failed to produce a golden goal, New Zealand was on target with all its five shots from the spot and goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex brilliantly stopped Adam Dixon’s third penalty stroke to clinch 5-3 win for the Kiwis.

The Mantell brothers — Richard and Simon — had pushed the playoff into extra time with two late goals in the second half as England came back from a two-goal deficit to draw level.

Three-time champion Australia takes on India in the final later in the day.