Black Sticks defend Nations Cup title with 6-2 victory over Pakistan

The Black Sticks men celebrate after winning the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia. Photo / Photosport

The Black Sticks men have successfully defended the FIH Nations Cup title after beating Pakistan 6-2 in the final in Malaysia yesterday.

New Zealand, who won last year’s Nations Cup in Poland, led 5-0 after a stunning first half which included three goals in three minutes.

Played in a packed Kuala Lumpur stadium filled with plenty of Pakistan supporters, the final had a chaotic start.

Within the first minute, Scott Boyde had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be overturned after a referral.

Just two minutes later, the Sticks again thought they had scored through Sean Findlay off a penalty corner but Pakistan referred and it was again ruled out.

The in-form Scott Cosslett gave New Zealand a sixth-minute lead after burying a drag flick.

To cap a dramatic opening 10 minutes, another penalty corner led to a stroke being awarded but a third successful Pakistani referral saw the decision reversed.

Sam Hiha scored his side’s second with a deflected field goal in the last minute of a first quarter that could have seen the Black Sticks leading by four or five. But New Zealand would not have to wait long to reach that margin, with goals to Dylan Thomas in the 17th minute and Sean Findlay in the 18th, both quality finishes.

Boyde added another field goal to make it 5-0, completing a dominant first half that saw the Black Sticks create 22 scoring opportunities compared with just four from Pakistan.

The Pakistanis pulled a goal back early in the third quarter but New Zealand continued to control most of the play.

Cosslett scored his second of the match from a penalty corner two minutes from fulltime, with Pakistan adding a consolation goal soon after to complete the scoring.

A powerful first-half performance set the tone for the Black Sticks, who demonstrated relentless pressure up front and calm, smart defending at the back.

Dom Dixon was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Nic Woods was the Most Valuable Player after winning the same award at last year’s Nations Cup.