Black Sticks lose to India at Azlan Shah Cup
- editor59343
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The New Zealand Black Sticks men have suffered their first loss at the Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia. beaten 3-2 by India after a close fought contest.
India struck early, converting a penalty corner with a clever variation, opting for a hit from the top rather than a flick, that snuck past goalkeeper George Enersen.
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Despite the early setback, the opening quarter was evenly matched, with the Vantage Black Sticks generating strong opportunities of their own but unable to find the finishing touch.
The second quarter belonged almost entirely to the Black Sticks with plenty of attacking pressure created numerous scoring chances, but the final connection continued to fall just short..
Still only one goal behind, the team entered halftime knowing the next 30 minutes would demand both composure and clinical execution.
India capitalised early in the third quarter, scoring from their second penalty corner of the match to extend their lead to 2–0.
Remarkably, India had created just two genuine chances at that point and converted both, while the Vantage Black Sticks had generated seven penalty corners and multiple field opportunities without reward.
The response came through George Baker, who has been in electric form all tournament. His deft deflection in front of goal pulled the Black Sticks back into the contest, and the remainder of the third quarter saw balanced play, with both teams creating moments but defending strongly.
The fourth quarter erupted into life. A superb penalty corner variation, Isaac Houlbrooke spinning to set up Sam Lane for the flick, was finished at the post by Baker, bringing the match to 2–2 and igniting the contest. A double for George Baker again!
Moments later, controversy struck. The Vantage Black Sticks won a penalty corner that appeared set to give them a chance to take the lead, but India’s players applied heavy pressure on the umpire and, despite having no video review available after losing it in the first quarter, the decision was overturned. India immediately countered, racing upfield to score their third goal.
India were then awarded a penalty stroke soon after, but Leon Hayward delivered a brilliant save to deny a fourth goal, keeping the Black Sticks alive.
With four minutes still on the clock, the Vantage Black Sticks removed Hayward to push an extra field player forward. The gamble paid off in territory and opportunities, earning more penalty corners in the final moments. Sam Lane came agonisingly close to equalising, sending a powerful flick past the keeper but just wide of the far post by millimetres.
The match finished 3–2 in India’s favour, but it was a performance full of courage and fight. The Vantage Black Sticks generated double the circle entries, double the goal-scoring chances, a display that shows clear progress against one of the world’s best sides.
Despite the loss, New Zealand remain firmly in contention for a place in the gold medal match. A win against Belgium on Saturday keeps that dream alive. Everything is still to play for.