New Zealand vs. Pakistan: Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup – Mid-match analysis
New Zealand is currently facing Pakistan in the inaugural match of the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, taking place today at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia. The tournament comprises of seven nations, out of which Malaysian team is
the only side that is internationally ranked on the 15th spot.
In the first-half, Pakistan striker, Umar Bhutta attempted a shot towards the goal in the second minute but the ball was cleared by Black Sticks’ goal-keeper, Kyle Pontifex.
In the very next minute, striker Muhammad Rizwan Senior created a gap and hit the ball past New Zealand’s goal-keeper, to open the scores at 1-0, in the third minute of the match. New Zealand attempted a counter-attack but failed, despite a brilliant effort
from Stephen Jenness.
With 15 minutes on the clock, both teams were trying to head into the defensive circle of their opponent.
In the 22nd minute, Pakistan were allowed a short corner on which a foul occurred and the team were awarded with their first penalty corner, in the very next minute. Syed Kashif Shah scored as a result of a re-bound, when Kyle denied a shot made
by the penalty-corner expert Sohail Abbas. The goal extended Pakistan’s lead to 2-0, in the 24th minute of the match.
Four minutes later, Pakistan were back in action after receiving their second penalty corner in the 29th minute. Green shirts did not capitalise on the opportunity, after the shot was saved by Black Sticks’ goal-keeper.
Black Sticks then stepped up their game and began advancing towards Pakistan’s defensive circle. In the 33rd minute, an attempt from New Zealand was cleared by Green Sticks goal-keeper, Imran Shah.
New Zealand tried to make-up when they were awarded with their first penalty corner, in the last minute of the first half. Black Sticks wasted the opportunity to shorten Pakistan’s lead, closing the match 2-0, at half-time.
The second half is under-way with Pakistan looking to continue dominating the match. Black Sticks need to play more aggressively, to make inroads into the Pakistan defence.
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