IPOH (Malaysia), Apr 9:
Nic Woods converted two penalty corners to hand defending champions New Zealand a 5-3 victory over Pakistan in the round-robin league of the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament, here today.
Twin strikes by Woods in the space of three minutes put New Zealand on winning course after the teams were level 2-2 at half-time.
Back to winning habit after being held to draws by Malaysia and Canada in their initial two outings, New Zealand took their points tally for five, while Pakistan have three points from two matches.
Pakistan had beaten Canada 3-1 in their opening fixture.
Pakistan opened the account in the eighth minute through Muhammad Arslan Qadir, who flicked in Ajaz Ahmed’s cross just wide of goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.
Pakistan could have increased the lead two minutes later from their first penlty corner when the shot deflected off the goalkeeper’s pads to the goal-post and back into play. The Black Sticks defenders did not have a clue about the ball’s direction until it was cleared in a melee.
New Zealand drew parity in the 12th minute when George Muir’s diagonal cross was deflected into the boards by Stephen Jenness.
Captain Simon Child put the Black Sticks ahead for the first time in the 19th minute when his reverse shot from top of the circle went through Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt’s pads. (PTI)
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