Black Sticks defeat the Malaysian Under-21 by 6-0 in first test match - Hockey News
New Zealand beat Malaysia’s Under-21 team 6-0, in the first match of their three tests series played at the main stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Saturday, April 30, 2011.
These matches are being played with regard to their preparation for this weekend’s seven-nation tournament, the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah to be held in Malaysia.
The Black Sticks gave a good start to their practice match by convincingly winning the first test from the host nation U-21’s side, 6-0. The very talented Gareth Brooks was the 'Star of the Day', who returned to the international squad after his last appearance
in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
In the ninth minute of the first half, New Zealand’s Stephen Jenness threw a pass at Brooks, which he beautifully flicked into the lower corner of the net, opening the scores at 1-0.
The Malaysian juniors had a chance to equalise with a 14th minute penalty corner. However, the Black Sticks goal-keeper, Kyle Pontifex deflected the ball out of the circle very comfortably.
The guest team were back in action when they were awarded a 21st minute penalty corner. A foul occurred from the host-side when Jenness attempted a shot and New Zealand received a penalty stroke. New Zealand captain, Dean Couzins, scored off the
chance, taking the lead to 2-0.
Until the half-break, no further additions were made on the scoreboard, closing the first half at 2-0.
In the second half, the Black Sticks continued to dominate the field with excellent passes and ball control. In the 37th minute, the third goal was scored by New Zealand’s Marcus Child, when he sprinted into the Malaysian defensive circle. It
was an unexpected well-shot reverse stick hit by Child that took his team’s lead to a solitary 3-0.
In the 42th minute of the second half, Jenness struck a shot over a rolling ball into the top corner of the goal, taking the score to 4-0.
Within the next two minutes, the fifth addition to the scoreboard was made as a result of New Zealand’s second penalty corner. The chance was capitalised by penalty corner specialist, Andy Hayward.
The sixth goal was shot by Shay Neal over a pass from Collier, closing the match with a dominating 6-0 victory for the Black Sticks.
New Zealand will play two more practice matches, with the first game against the senior Malaysian team, followed by another encounter against India.
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