Hockey: Sparkling Japanese thrash NZ team

By Terry Maddaford

A determined Japanese men's hockey team comprehensively outplayed New Zealand to win the second test 4-1 at Rosedale Park last night and square the series.

Ahead 3-0 inside half an hour, the visitors were too strong, too quick and more committed than the New Zealanders, who did not show the same fight they had in winning the opener 3-1.

Today's rest day will give the Kiwi camp some respite and the opportunity to regroup before tackling the Japanese - ranked a handful of places below the Kiwis on the international ladder - in tomorrow night's third test.

The visitors needed less than three minutes to open the scoring when they won a penalty corner. The ball was dragged to Shinji Iwata who nonchalantly swooped and swept home.

Stung, the New Zealanders pressed forward. John Radovonich controlled well, pulled the ball back to Bradley Apted on the edge of the circle but his sixth minute attempt was just wide.

With a wealth of possession from a string of free hits, the New Zealanders had their chances but too many ill-directed, often weak, passes cost them dearly and allowed the ever-alert Japanese to swoop and control play, especially in the midfield.

The visitors increased their lead in the 28th minute when, from deep in their own territory, they broke quickly and sent centre-forward Naoya Iwadate away. He ran 70m, drew goalkeeper Michael Bevin and angled his shot home.

Two minutes later from their third penalty corner, Naohiko Tobita smacked his first-time effort into the New Zealand goal.

From the last play of the first spell the ball was played long to Apted, then to Radovonich who provided the finishing touch.

The goal that finished New Zealand off came after 12 minutes in the second half when, in another break-out from defence (after a rare New Zealand penalty corner) they fired in a shot. Bevin blocked but Iwata was on hand to score from the rebound. Iwadate had a good chance to score during that period but an excellent Brett Leaver tackle kept him out.

In the curtainraiser North Harbour beat Australian Country 3-1.