New Zealand Hockey Team defeats U-21 Malaysia in a practice match
In order to boost up their courage ahead of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, men’s hockey team of New Zealand defeated Under-21 squad of Malaysia by six goals, 6-0 in a practice match played at the arena of Ipoh, city of Malaysia.
It was a brilliant start from the Black Sticks in the preparatory session that will surely enhance their confidence in the upcoming competitions.
The men’s team of New Zealand displayed impressive game and scored six goals, while holding opponent's squad goal-less in the two halves. With the impressive win, the Black Sticks have eased their way in the preparatory session for the forthcoming Sultan
Azlan Shah Cup. Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Korea and the host Malaysia will face each other in the Malaysia-based tournament starting from May 05.
The visiting team opened the game in quite an offensive way and carried out numerous attacks. With nine minutes into the play, New Zealand team managed their first goal of the day in the hands of Gareth Brooks. He, who rejoined the squad after two-year break
due to injuries, impressively deflected a pass from Stephen Jenness and sent it straight into the goal-post.
The U-21 squad of Malaysia was also displaying a disciplined game and earned a short-corner in the 14th minute of the game. But, Kyle Pontifex, the custodian of New Zealand, deflected the ball comfortably. In the 21st minute of the
game, Dean Couzins, the skipper of the Black Sticks, successfully connected on a short-corner and doubled the tally. The first half of play concluded with New Zealand hanging on to a two-goal lead, 2-0.
The New Zealand team, in the second half of play, cranked up their offence and increased the tally up to six goals. Marcus Child scored another goal in the 37thminute of the game through a brilliant shot and expanded the lead to three points.
Jenness, the legendary player of the Black Sticks, chipped in a goal in the 42ndminute to stretch the lead up to four points. He managed to take the ball away and powered a strong shot at the goalposts.
Soon after the two minutes, the Black Sticks obtained their second short-corner of the game. Andy Hayward, the legendary drag flicker, scored off a short-corner and took an insurmountable lead to five scores, 5-0. In the concluding minutes of the game, Shay
Neal managed to take the ball away and unleashed an impressive shot. With sixth goal of the game, the Black Sticks road away the field with a commanding triumph.
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