Hockey: Black Sticks have score to settle with Pakistan

The Black Sticks will seek to snap a six-game losing streak against Pakistan in the late game at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in Kuala Lumpur today.

New Zealand lost 2-1 and 4-2 in the 3rd-4th play-off to Pakistan at the same tournament last year but will go into tonight's game with some confidence following their first-up 3-2 win over Argentina on Sunday.

In their first game, played yesterday morning, Pakistan beat the Netherlands 3-2 on the back of converting half of six forays into the Dutch defensive circle. At the other end of the turf at the national stadium, the Dutch broke into the Pakistan circle more than 20 times but could score only twice, both field goals.

"It is not going to be easy," said NZ manager Peter Miskimmin. "To have any chance against Pakistan we are going to have to stop playing wave hockey, that is going backwards and forwards through the midfield.

"We have to slow their attack down. They are very quick up front and have pace in the midfield.

"The goals they scored against Holland came from quick turnovers. We have to be aware of that."

Coach Kevin Towns has made minimal changes to his starting line-up for tonight.

Paul Woolford comes in for Kyle Pontifex in goal, Wellington defender Scott Falconer makes his international debut at left back, replacing Dean Couzins who drops to the bench, and Shea McAleese replaces Hugh Copland at right half.

"We have a slight advantage in that Pakistan are having to back up and play two days in a row," said Miskimmin.

"We also have the advantage of playing later in the day. The 3pm game on Sunday was delayed for 20 minutes after the turf was flooded by torrential rain.

"That is expected to happen most days given it is the rainy season here now."

Black Sticks to play Pakistan (9pm NZ time today):

Paul Woolford, Hayden Shaw, Scott Falconer, Shea McAleese, Blair Hopping, Brad Shaw, Ryan Archibald , Mitesh Patel, Gareth Brooks, Simon Child, Bevan Hari.

Substitutes: Kyle Pontifex, Dean Couzins, James Nation, Ben Collier, Lloyd Stephenson.