Hockey: NZ men ecstatic over new world ranking

New Zealand won a thrilling playoff match against Japan, 7-6 on penalty strokes, to be sure of finishing no worse than 10th at the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

The game finished 3-3 after golden goal overtime.

The New Zealanders played India overnight to decide the final placings. India progressed with a 3-0 win over Spain.

During normal play Umesh Parag - playing a record 161st game for his country - Simon Towns and Philip Burrows scored for New Zealand, while Kenji Asai, Takahiko Yamahori and Naohiko Tobia got Japan's goals.

The two sides could not be separated by extra time, leading to the penalty shootout. Both scored four of their five penalty strokes, but a fine save from New Zealand keeper Paul Woolford gave New Zealand the win.

"I'll be a very happy coach if we come home ninth," New Zealand coach Kevin Towns said.

The New Zealanders were ranked 16th before the tournament began.

Team manager Arvind Jasmat said the side were "absolutely ecstatic" about their progress.

A display of pacy, free-flowing hockey took Australia into the final with a 4-1 win over holders the Netherlands. They will play pre-tournament favourites Germany, who booked their place in today's final with a 3-2 win over South Korea.

It will be Australia's fourth final appearance and a chance to win the cup for the second time, having taken it in London in 1986.

Germany have appeared in the final just once, in 1982 when they finished runners-up to Pakistan.

In the day's playoff matches, Pakistan beat hosts Malaysia 2-1 in the five-eight placings group. Argentina, who downed England, met Argentina for fifth and sixth place overnight, and England faced Malaysia for seventh and eighth.

- NZPA