Malaysian Junior hockey team defeat Junior Black Sticks Men’s team, 2-1
in Dunedin: Hockey Recap
The Malaysian Junior hockey team finally succeeded in defeating Junior Black Sticks Men’s team in the final match of four Test match series which was played in Dunedin. The Kiwis had already grabbed the series by winning two of the previous three matches,
while one game ended in a draw.
The Malaysians started the match in a fine style, unlike the previous games, and looked quite dominant in the entire match, especially in first half. They started quite dangerously by making some beautiful moves, short passes and running with a lot of pace.
It took only eight minutes after the match started and the Malaysians opened the dead-lock by scoring their first goal. Mohammad Fitri was the scorer who made it for the Malaysians with the help of a great running effort inside the circle.
The Malaysians continued their aggressive game, dominated the Kiwis all the time in first half and once again broke the defence-line of Kiwis in the 23rdminute. In the circle a foul was committed by one of the Kiwis’ full-backs to which the Malaysians
were awarded a penalty corner. They utilised the chance quite well and doubled the lead by scoring their second goal, the scorer was Nor Faez. The Kiwis tried very hard in finding the right way to the goal-post of Malaysia, but their efforts went in vain.
First half finished at 2-0 to Malaysia.
In the second half Kiwis were looking better and very desperate for goals, but they remained unlucky on quite a few occasions. However, they had to wait till the 48th minute when Callum Bailey mad a flawless effort in putting his team right back
in the game. He scored first and the only goal for the Kiwis. The New Zealanders played with great energy and pace in the last fifteen minutes of the game, but failed to score an equaliser. They had a number of chances including three penalty corners, but
could not convert those opportunities in goals. The match finished at 2-1 to Malaysian Junior hockey side.
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