The Vantage Black Sticks completed their 2025 Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup marketing campaign in type, producing a commanding 6–1 victory over hosts Malaysia to safe the bronze medal in entrance of a packed and electrical dwelling crowd. With the stadium buzzing and the native supporters roaring from the opening whistle, the Vantage Black Sticks rose to the second.
The tone was set early. The Vantage Black Sticks opened the match with two medical discipline objectives, each completed by Sam Lane after sharp passing sequences and powerful connections via the attacking third. Lane’s timing and positioning had been very good, giving his aspect a 2–0 lead on the finish of the primary quarter.
The second quarter adopted an analogous sample, with the Vantage Black Sticks persevering with to dictate play. Lane got here inches away from finishing a first-half hat-trick when his penalty nook flick was brilliantly denied by a Malaysian defender on the submit.
Moments later, the highlight shifted to James Hickson, who produced a second he’ll always remember. Bursting via midfield on a speedy counter-attack, Hickson carried the ball practically 60 metres earlier than unleashing a robust reverse-stick shot into the again of the online. His first worldwide aim and a press release second within the bronze medal last. The Vantage Black Sticks carried a 3–0 lead into halftime.
The third quarter belonged completely to Lane, who delivered one of many standout durations of his worldwide profession. He scored three objectives within the area of quarter-hour. A medical penalty nook end, an excellent discipline aim on the finish of a full-length counter-attack sparked by excellent penalty nook defence from George Baker, and eventually a composed penalty stroke that despatched the goalkeeper the unsuitable approach. Malaysia responded with a penalty stroke of their very own, however the Vantage Black Sticks entered the ultimate quarter up 6–1.
With the match underneath management, the fourth quarter noticed no additional objectives, sealing a memorable 6–1 victory and a well-earned bronze medal for the Vantage Black Sticks.
The win capped an impressive event for Lane, who completed the match with 5 objectives and moved to the highest of the event goal-scoring chart with 9. With solely the ultimate between Belgium and India remaining, Lane sits three objectives away from Belgium’s Tom Boon, positioning him strongly to assert the High Aim Scorer award.
An outstanding efficiency, a medical show of ending, and a robust assertion of progress from the Vantage Black Sticks. The bronze medal is nicely deserved and a becoming finish to their Azlan Shah Cup marketing campaign.
It was additionally a particular evening for 2 gamers reaching main milestones. Malachi Buschl introduced up his fiftieth cap for the Vantage Black Sticks, and Sam Lane’s five-goal haul lifted him to 51 worldwide objectives. An excellent private milestone and a mirrored image of his continued affect on the world stage.
New Zealand Aim Scorers:
5’ Sam Lane – Area Aim
7’ Sam Lane – Area Aim
29’ James Hickson – Area Aim
33’ Sam Lane – Penalty Nook Aim
34’ Sam Lane – Area Aim
41’ Sam Lane – Penalty Stroke Aim
