21 June 2025 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Vantage Black Sticks males are heading to the FIH Nations Cup Grand Remaining after a nail-biting semi-final win over Korea, sealed in a dramatic shootout.
It was a cagey begin within the first quarter, with each groups feeling one another out. But it surely was the Black Sticks who struck first. A pointy counterattack launched from our defensive 25 by Hayden Phillips arrange a slick workforce transfer, completed fantastically by Jonty Elmes with a deflection into the online. George Baker got here near doubling the lead, however his shot was denied by the Korean keeper. 1–0 on the first break.
Early within the second quarter, Dylan Thomas lit up the sport with a shocking solo aim. After eliminating his defender exterior the circle, he drove to the left baseline and chipped the ball over the keeper into the highest nook, an unreal end. Korea responded rapidly, changing their first penalty nook to make it 2–1. Simply earlier than halftime, Dom Dixon got here up massive with an important right-foot save to maintain the lead intact.
Korea stayed excellent on penalty corners, scoring once more early within the third to degree it at 2–2. Either side had possibilities to take the lead, however neither might convert. It was all sq. heading into the ultimate 15.
Within the final quarter we dominated possession and created a number of possibilities, together with two massive ones within the closing minutes, however simply couldn’t break the tie. Full time: 2–2.
An enormous second for Louis Beckert who stepped into aim for the shootout. Two early saves gave New Zealand the sting, and our shooters stayed composed, slotting 4 in a row. When it got here all the way down to the ultimate shot, Nic Woods stepped up and buried it with ice-cold composure to ship the Vantage Black Sticks into the grand closing.
Unbelievable scenes. A gutsy, all-in efficiency from the workforce and now, another to go. The Vantage Black Sticks males tackle Pakistan within the FIH Nations Cup Grand Remaining on the twenty second of June 1.00am NZT. All of it comes all the way down to this.
