Hockey: Black Sticks fall to Pakistan

The Black Sticks fell to Pakistan 4-2. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand men's hockey team slumped to a 4-2 defeat to Pakistan in their opening match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia last night, their first loss to the Asian champions in six matches.

Despite a promising performance from debutant Matt L'Huillier and a goal from Otago's Hugo Inglis in his 50th international, errors and turnovers in the opening half cost New Zealand as they trailed 2-0 at the break.

Pakistan opened their account in just the third minute as they mounted a quick counter-attack after a New Zealand turnover, Muhammad Rizwan putting the finishing touches to Sohail Abbas' right wing cross.

From their first penalty corner, Pakistan doubled the lead when New Zealand goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex pulled off a great save from Abbas' drag flick only to see Syed Kashif Shah react first to the rebound and slot the goal.

The Black Sticks started to edge their way back into the match in the closing stages of the first half, and Wellington's Matt L'Huillier, on debut, saw two drag flicks at penalty corners well saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah.

In the second half, the New Zealand continued to push forward seeking to reduce the deficit, but Pakistan grabbed their third in the 51st minute when Abdul Haseem Khan punished another New Zealand turnover by converting Abbas' right wing cross.

Andy Hayward stepped up to fire home a well-taken penalty corner drag flick to reduce claima goal back for New Zealand three minutes later, but Pakistan landed the killer blow from the restart when they punished another turnover in the New Zealand defence to put the game beyond reach, Muhammad Zubair showing exquisite skill to unlock the defence and slip the ball under the advancing Pontifex.

New Zealand dominated the closing stages and Inglis, playing in his 50th match, gratefully accepted a clever pass from Blair Hilton to rifle home an unstoppable reverse stick shot high into the net, but it was all too late.

New Zealand's second match is against Korea on Sunday.

In other matches overnight, Korea recovered from a 0-2 deficit to beat India 3-2 and Great Britain proved too strong for the hosts, winning 3-1.

Result: New Zealand 2 (Andrew Hayward, Hugo Inglis) Pakistan 4 (Mohammed Rizwan Senior, Syed Kashif Shah, Abdul Haseem Khan, Mohammad Umar Bhutta). Halftime: 0-2.

- NZPA