JAPAN DOWN NEW ZEALAND TO CONTINUE GIANT-KILLING ACT

IPOH, May 5 (Bernama) -- Japan continued their giant-killing act in the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament when they stunned favourites and two-time champions New Zealand 4-1 at the Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium here today.

The world number 16 Samurai Warriors, who upset South Korea 2-1 in the opening match yesterday, were sharp and organised as they dominated the game to notch their first win over the Kiwis in their fifth attempt since 2019.

Japan, who are gunning for their maiden title in their sixth appearance, took the lead through Naru Kimura’s 13th-minute deflected shot before Reiki Fujishima doubled their lead from a penalty corner 10 minutes later.

Hitman Tsubasa Tanaka, 20, who scored in his international debut yesterday, then made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute to clinch the Man of the Match award before Ken Nagayoshi converted a penalty corner in the 60th minute.

World number 10 New Zealand, who hammered Canada 7-1 yesterday, scored a consolation goal through a Scott Cosslett penalty corner in the 55th minute.

Japan head coach Yoshihiro Anai attributed his team's victory to his men sticking to their game plan and staying well-organised throughout the match. 

“New Zealand are much stronger physically and mentally, but we were well-organised and it paid off. We focused on defence to function well.

“When they opted for power-play (replacing the goalkeeper with another outfield player) and switched to aggressive attacking, we focused on organised play, counter-attacking and making better vertical passes and teamwork,” the Olympian said at the press conference.

New Zealand head coach Greg Nicol said although his men did well, they were rusty and unable to convert their chances. 

“We played pretty well between these two circles, but not well in the circle. When you have 37 circle penetrations and one penalty corner, that didn’t really test the goalkeeper, (then) it is something that we are going to work on,” he said as he admitted that the hot and humid weather also took a toll on his charges. 

Tomorrow is a rest day and on Tuesday (May 7), New Zealand will take on hosts Malaysia while Japan will face Pakistan.

Three-time champions Pakistan also secured a second straight victory by beating South Korea 4-0, after edging Malaysia 5-4 yesterday.

Goals from Hannan Shahid (3’), Liagat Arshad (20’), Ghazanfar Ali (27’) and Muhammed Sufyan Khan (50’) helped Roelant Oltmans’ side collect three points to brighten their chances of qualifying for the final. 

-- BERNAMA