Hockey: Black Sticks make own World Cup

New Zealand's Steven Edwards (L) gets the ball ahead of Malaysia's Mohd Shahrun Nabil Abdullah in the World Cup qualifying final yesterday. Photo / NZPA

The New Zealand men's hockey team joined their soccer counterparts as World Cup qualifiers after maintaining their unbeaten record in Invercargill yesterday.

The Black Sticks progressed to February's tournament in India by eventually subduing a stubborn Malaysia 2-1 in the final of the World Cup qualifying tournament.

While the All Whites' qualification for South Africa next year at Bahrain's expense was a pleasant surprise on Saturday night, victory for the hockey side was expected to be a formality after they sauntered through the round robin phase with a healthy plus 23 goal difference.

But Razie Abd Rahim sought to alter the script when he netted a penalty corner in the 18th minute.

It was the first time in the tournament New Zealand had trailed, and it took until 10 minutes from fulltime for them to secure a sixth successive win.

Tournament topscorer Andy Hayward provided the stress-relieving goals with precise drag flicks from penalty corners in the 57th minute and again soon afterwards to ensure the world No 8 Black Sticks did not squander a second opportunity to qualify for New Delhi.

Australia had blocked their route through the Oceania series earlier this year.

New Zealand had beaten the Malaysians 4-2 in pool play last week but coach Shane McLeod remained wary before the final.

"Malaysia played very well," he said.

"They gained a lot from the earlier game. They did their homework and cancelled out a lot of things we were succeeding with.

"They're really difficult if you fall behind by a goal, they defend with a lot of passion.

"It took a long time to break that down."

McLeod thought the ease of New Zealand's cruise to the final also hindered their performance.

"They weren't tested a lot over the week and sometimes it gets a little bit hard to keep trying to lift yourself above other teams.

"With Malaysia getting a goal against the run of play we were in a situation we hadn't faced.

"Sometimes you're better off in a more even tournament because you face a lot of situations before the final."

McLeod said the squad watched, and were inspired by, the All Whites' 1-0 defeat of Bahrain.

"All sports get motivated by the success of others, I think it assisted us with out campaign," he said.

"We didn't have as many people watching but we're certainly happy."

New Zealand's next assignment is in the second tier Champions Challenge starting in Argentina on December 6.

Victory there will see them promoted to the elite Champions Trophy grade next year.

- NZPA