New Zealand versus Great Britain: 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – Mid Match Analysis
Great Britain is currently playing against New Zealand in the 11th match of the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, on the fifth day at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Malaysian city of Ipoh, on May 9.
Jenness Stephen and Graham Stephen are excluded from the New Zealand squad, while Nicolas Brothers and Richard Smith were not included in the Great Britain team.
The Kiwi players started the game with the field domination since the very first minute of the match. The line-up kept the ball under their control and made impressive passes to the forward men, averting British attackers to counter-attacks.
The British team took the ball into their possession when Jonathan Clarke and Simon Mantell carried out impressive attacks. However, it was the Kiwi's side that earned the first penalty corner in the 9th minute of the game.
However, Andrew Haywards, the British goal-keeper made a dive and cleared the ball from the circle.
In a counter-offence, the Great Britain earned their first short corner in the 12thminute of the game. Richard Mantell unleashed a powerful scooping shot at the Kiwi's goal, opening the score, 1-0 in the 14th minute.
After conceding a goal, the Black Sticks started more aggressive game and stormed back to back attacks. However, the British defenders were standing quite ready and brilliantly blocked the strikes.
Blair Hilton managed to take the ball inside the circle and struck a powerful shot at the goal-post, but it was blocked in the hands of opponent defender. In the 26th minute of the game, a player from Great Britain committed
a severe mistake and awarded a short corner to the Black Sticks. However, they missed the chance and failed to level the score.
An end-to-end play was observed in the remaining time period and both sides failed to increase the tally.
The opening period concluded with Great Britain leading by one goal, 1-0 over New Zealand. Despite plenty of goal-scoring chances, the Kiwi's side failed to level the score. In the meantime, the second half is underway between the two teams with the
same fighting spirit.
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