Hockey: Late strikes level series for New Zealand

New Zealand 3 Malaysia 0

An amazing six-goal turnaround earned the New Zealand men a win over Malaysia yesterday and a deserved tied series.

With almost half of Kevin Towns' 21-man squad making their debut, the overall result was a good base on which to launch the 2008 Olympic campaign.

"We will have a look at it and then make some decisions," said Towns.

"I said all along results do not count in an exercise like this but that does not hide the satisfaction we take from winning."

After a 3-3 draw in last Tuesday's opener and with the second test abandoned (at 1-1), Malaysia, who walloped New Zealand 3-0 in Saturday's third test, needed only a draw at Lloyd Elsmore Park yesterday to clinch the series.

With scores locked 0-0 at halftime in another tight affair - and with the visitors missing their three penalty corner attempts - the balance tipped Malaysia's way.

Midway through the second spell that deadlock remained despite the best endeavours of Malaysian captain Kuhan Shanmuganathan, Prabahkarun Perryathumby and Nor Azlan Baker.

Then, from yet another good ball swept into the circle by player of the series Blair Hopping, his North Harbour team-mate Darren Smith, later named man of the match, added the telling touch for 1-0.

Less than three minutes later, Hopping set up a second when he swept a free-hit into the circle and Lloyd Stephenson met the ball well to steer home.

With 16 minutes to play, New Zealand should have gone further ahead.

David Kosoof was brought down by goalkeeper Roslan Jamauddin. Umpire Simon Taylor awarded the stroke but in a villain-into-hero act, Jamauddin denied Kosoof from the spot.

With the Malaysians pushing forward, New Zealand caught them at the back on a couple of occasions.

From one such raid, Ben Collier, who had two strong games over the weekend, picked out Hamish Baron, who stayed low in firing home and giving Jamauddin no chance.

The penalty corners were shared 3-all but none found the goal.

Young Waikato defender Richard Petherick, who impressed with some solid defence in his first real test at this level after playing in Thursday's washout, denied Hairui Nizam Abdul Rani with a superb stick stop in the goalmouth in the 23rd minute.

While the visitors were able to target New Zealand's right flank in Saturday's game, they were denied that yesterday by a more fired-up performance across the field.

After a horror game on Saturday, Dion Gosling returned to his better form to work well alongside Petherick in defence.

Canterbury defender Brad Shaw, kept out of the game by Towns until well into the second half, stood out in his limited time on the pitch.

Collier was the pick of the younger players but Baron also had a solid game. Shaun Barnett made the most of the 50 or so minutes he had at centre-half.

Simon Child, without the benefit of an NHL season, obviously found the step up from age-group hockey to the test arena a huge learning curve.

"We have to be patient," said Towns. "It takes a long time for young guys to come into the environment and learn just how tough international hockey is.

"We changed our game plan today by going into a more defensive frame of mind but they adapted well to that and got the result we wanted."