Hockey: Narrow victory in torrid cup opener

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand beat Malaysia 3-2 in their opening game at the junior men's World Cup in Hobart yesterday.

In a torrid affair, New Zealand led after 10 minutes when Phil Burrows, in his first game since returning from the World Cup qualifiers in Scotland, deflected home his team's third, and last, penalty corner.

The Malaysians drew level, then went ahead in the next eight minutes with two goals from Jiwa Mohan.

A well-worked field goal, with Burrows providing the build-up and Blair Hopping the diving finish, earned New Zealand an equaliser in the 25th minute.

The winner came in the 53rd minute when Burrows beat the Malaysian goalkeeper with a crashing shot from the edge of the circle.

The Malaysians, who forced six penalty corners to New Zealand's three, hurled everything at the Kiwis and thought they had grabbed the equaliser when they had the ball in the back of the goal.

The teams returned to halfway, only to have the goal ruled out by the other umpire who said the ball had deflected from a Malaysian foot.

Tensions continued to build and when a diminutive Malaysian attacker crashed into New Zealand defender Hayden Shaw, the game exploded.

Shaw and two Malaysians, including Mohan, were sent off in the last 10 minutes.

"We are pleased to have that one behind us," New Zealand coach Craig Hobbs said.

"The players were nervous and tentative. We know we can do a lot better, but to play poorly and get three points is not all bad."

Of Malaysia's disallowed goal, he said: "That was a correct call, thank goodness. It looked like they were going to give it, but it was a bloody good call to over-rule. I'm still shaking."

New Zealand meet Germany in a key pool game this afternoon. Germany beat Argentina 2-1 yesterday.

Hosts and defending champions Australia struggled to a 1-1 draw with Ireland.