The Black Sticks Men have defeated Canada 7-1 in their opening match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.
George Baker scored a hat-trick, his first goals in international play, while Jake Smith and Scott Boyde netted two goals each in the easy win at Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh on Saturday.
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Baker scored field goals in the 16th, 41st and 59th minutes for the 10th-ranked Black Sticks Men, who led 3-0 at halftime and 5-0 after three quarters.
Boyde netted his first in just 10 seconds, then his second in the final 20 seconds with the match well in hand. Smith rattled the cage from a penalty corner in the 26th minute and his second in the last minute of the third.
The Black Sticks Men face 16th-ranked Japan in their second match on Sunday (start 8pm NZ Time), with further group matches against Malaysia, South Korea and Pakistan on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
New Zealand 7 (George Baker 3, Jake Smith 2, Scott Boyde 2) Canada 1 (Rowan Childs). 1Q: 1-0, HT: 3-0, 3Q: 5-0