KUALA LUMPUR: New Zealand defeated Pakistan 6-2 to book their place in the final of the FIH Nations Hockey Cup in Malaysia on Saturday.
New Zealand dominated the match from the start, taking an unassailable 5-0 lead by half-time, effectively putting the game beyond Pakistan’s reach.
Playing with an aggressive intent, New Zealand kept the Pakistani defence under constant pressure, capitalising on penalty corners and field goals to extend their lead.
Despite a strong second-half display, Pakistan managed only two goals, which were insufficient to mount a serious comeback.
Pakistan’s national team had qualified for the final after a brilliant performance against France in the semi-final, while New Zealand advanced by defeating Korea in a shootout in the other semi-final.
The final match, played at 6pm local time in Kuala Lumpur, saw the enthusiastic support of the Pakistani fans present in the stadium who supported the Green Shirts in the crucial match.
Despite the defeat, Pakistan’s run to the final indicated a significant improvement in performance and highlighted key areas for improvement ahead of future international tournaments.
