17 June 2025 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A 40-minute delay on account of thunder and lightning in earlier video games didn’t shake the Vantage Black Sticks Males, who pulled off an enormous comeback of their second pool recreation of the FIH Nations Cup. Coming from 3-0 right down to securing the win 4-3 in opposition to the house nation Malaysia.
The primary half was tight. Malaysia had the higher of the possibilities within the opening quarter, however Dom Dixon stood tall in aim, conserving the sport scoreless.
The second quarter noticed little attacking play from both aspect – an arm wrestle by means of the center of the pitch. Within the ultimate 30 seconds New Zealand earned 4 consecutive penalty corners. Regardless of the stress, the Malaysian defence held agency.
Malaysia got here out firing within the third quarter, scoring two fast targets – one from a stroke being awarded off a penalty nook and one other from a discipline aim – to take a 3-0 lead. However the Black Sticks weren’t finished.
Finn Ward obtained New Zealand on the board along with his first worldwide aim, a tidy deflection previous the keeper. Moments later, Malaysia went right down to 10 gamers with a yellow card, and Head Coach Greg Nicol made a brave name – taking the keeper off to create an overlap with two additional gamers. It paid off when Simon Yorston discovered the again of the online off a penalty nook deflection to deliver it to 3-2 heading into the ultimate quarter.
Throughout the first minute of the fourth quarter, Sean Findlay scored off a damaged penalty nook play to stage it 3-3. Lower than two minutes later, Finn Ward fired a superb ball into the circle for a slick Sam Hiha contact into the online. 4 targets in eight minutes secured a 4-3 victory to the Vantage Blacks Sticks Males.
A particular evening for Finn Ward and an enormous effort from the group to show the tide beneath stress.
This win signifies that the Vantage Black Sticks have locked in a semi-final spot, however the opposition is but to be determined. The subsequent match will decide who finishes high of the pool (pool B) and performs second place in pool A. Our subsequent match in opposition to Pakistan is one you may’t miss.
It’s dwell and free on TVNZ+, Wednesday 18 June 10.00pm NZT.
