Australia vs. New Zealand: 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – Mid-Match Report
Australia is currently battling against New Zealand in their match being playing in the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia on May 14.
The first-half ended up with score at 4-1.
As the match kicked off, the Kookaburras opened up with ball possession rushing for an attack at the Black Sticks’ defensive circle. However, New Zealand’s defence stood strong and denied the Australian strikers to make a decent attempt.
In the 11th minute, Australia received its first penalty corner that was brilliantly converted by Brett Dancer into an opening score at 1-0.
In the next three minutes, a forward goal was shot by Kookaburra’s Glenn Turner, advancing the Australian lead to 2-0 in the 15th minute mark.
As soon as the match continued from the mid-line, Turner reappeared in action at the defensive circle of New Zealand and delivered yet another brilliant shot, taking the lead to 3-0.
With eleven minutes on the clock, no additions were made to the scoreboard that reflected the fact that New Zealand and India both stood at a goal difference of two, with India leading by one in terms of total goals scored. In order to qualify for the play-off,
New Zealand need to avoid a defeat of more than three goals or else they will be playing a match against Korea for the fifth and sixth place.
Australia earned anther penalty corner in the 27th minute that was brilliantly converted by Christopher Ciriello, who scored the fourth goal for his team. The score sat at 4-0 with seven minutes to half-break. Australia look well on their way
to dominate New Zealand with an amazing performance in the first half of play.
The game seemed to be turning out as a solitary win for Australia when the Black Sticks came into action in the 31st minute and Steven Edwards scored a goal, reducing the deficit to 1-4.
In the remaining four minutes, no more additions were made to the scoreboard and the first-half concluded with Australia leading with three goals 4-1 over New Zealand.
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