Hockey: Win opens up a new world

New Zealand face Malaysia in the all-important hockey final in Invercargill today - with the winner qualifying for the World Cup in Delhi in February.

The Black Sticks had already qualified for the final even before they beat Austria 4-0 yesterday - as the only team with a perfect record and far superior goal differential.

Malaysia made the final after scoring a 3-0 victory over China, with two crucial goals in three minutes proving too much for the Chinese.

That victory also offered a clue as to the style the Black Sticks will face today. The Malaysians scored two of their goals within three minutes of the re-start, after going into half time 0-0.

A trademark fast-breaking counter-attack produced their third goal in the 51st minute, finished by Nabil Mohd Noor and it's likely the Malaysians will again rely on tight defence and scoring on breakaways.

The New Zealand team, which must win the final to get to Delhi, will be favourites today after completely dominating the round robin, scoring 28 goals and conceding only five. However, the Malaysians were impressive against the Chinese, whom many had predicted would make the final against New Zealand before this tournament began.

The tournament's top goal scorers are all Black Sticks. Phil Burrows, Nick Wilson and Simon Child all have six apiece with Andy Hayward on five goals. Malaysia have scored far fewer goals than New Zealand, just 12, but have improved throughout the tournament and had notably gone up a notch yesterday.

In the dead rubber against Austria, coach Shane McLeod took the opportunity to rest key players and introduce others. Second goalkeeper Stephen Graham and defender Richard Petherick both played their first matches and were given a full game. The pair made solid contributions. New Zealand's player of the tournament so far, Ryan Archibald, was rested for most of the game.

New Zealand scored their first goal in the eighth minute, Phil Burrows making a little dribble to shoot what was, for him, a simple reverse drive from the top of the circle.

A beautiful passage of passing from Phil Burrows, to Ben Collier and on to Hugo Inglis set up Simon Child at close range for the second goal, in the 24th minute.

Priyesh Bhana rounded out the half, the beneficiary of a huge overhead from deep defence by Hayden Shaw. Simon Child added his second field goal with around 10 minutes on the clock.

Scotland and China will play off for third place today.