The 2025 Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup started with heavy rain and pitch flooding forcing the postponement of the event’s opening match between South Korea and India. That made the Vantage Black Sticks conflict with hosts Malaysia the primary recreation of the occasion.
With giant pockets of water nonetheless seen on the turf at push-off, the circumstances compelled either side into a unique fashion of play. Fairly than constructing via the again, the match changed into an aerial, counter-attacking contest, a method that suited Malaysia early.
Malaysia struck first within the opening quarter with a pointy counter-attack to take a 1–0 lead. They doubled their benefit within the second quarter via a well-executed penalty nook flick, placing New Zealand beneath early stress.
The Vantage Black Sticks labored their approach again into the match late within the second quarter, and Sam Lane calmly transformed a penalty stroke to tug one again and ship New Zealand into halftime with momentum.
Because the pitch dried and the floor grew to become extra constant, New Zealand discovered their rhythm within the third quarter, creating extra connections and starting to move. The match tightened significantly within the fourth quarter, with the Vantage Black Sticks coming desperately near an equaliser when a robust shot deflected off the Malaysian goalkeeper’s glove and ricocheted off the put up.
Chasing the sport, New Zealand eliminated goalkeeper George Enersen with three minutes remaining to push an additional outfield participant ahead. The tactic paid off nearly instantly, incomes a penalty nook that was denied solely by a powerful save from the Malaysian goalkeeper.
Moments later, Dylan Thomas produced the second New Zealand had been trying to find, firing a superb discipline objective via the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 2–2 with simply two minutes to play. Enersen returned to the sector for the ultimate section because the Vantage Black Sticks closed out the match to safe a well-earned opening level.
It was a milestone evening for Leon Hayward, who celebrated his fiftieth look for New Zealand and performed an important position with three excellent saves that prevented Malaysia from extending their lead. The match additionally marked the worldwide debut of Nick Lidstone, who appeared composed and assured all through, becoming seamlessly into the aspect.
A gritty efficiency in tough circumstances provides New Zealand a invaluable consequence to open their Azlan Shah Cup marketing campaign, with momentum to construct on for the matches forward.
