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Andrew Hayward celebrates scoring - Source: ONE Sport -
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The New Zealand men's hockey team joined their soccer
counterparts as World Cup qualifiers after maintaining their
unbeaten record in Invercargill on Sunday.
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 last 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.
