sports
Malaysia beats New Zealand 3-2 in second test hockey match
Malaysia will play another two test matches against New Zealand in the tour which is part of Walsh's plan to bolster the national squad ahead of the annual Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament slated from April 6 to 16, in Ipoh, Perak. – Reuters pic, March 7, 2016.The national men’s hockey squad defeated New Zealand 3-2 in their second test match at Blake Park in Tauranga, New Zealand, today.
The result levels the tie at 1-1 since New Zealand had scored a 4-1 win against Malaysia in the opening test match yesterday.
Muhammad Razie Rahim who is a penalty corner specialist, struck twice in the second and 55th minutes while Joel Samuel van Huizen scored the other in the 43rd minute while New Zealand replied through Hugo Inglis in the 21st minute and Cory Bennett in the 51st minute.
National team head coach Stephen Van Huizen who praised his side for a significant improvement in their second match against the Kiwis, especially in midfield, noted that the team should focus on building better understanding.
"We can improve further if our communication and organisation is better. That will be our key focus for the next game,” he said in a statement issued by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), today.
"The midfield play was very good and we utilised the ball well. There was more movement and the team played with very few individual errors," Van Huizen added.
Sharing his views was MHC Technical Director, Terry Walsh who believes today's result was a clear indication that the team was getting stronger, both physically and mentally.
"The team never went behind and we were always in the lead. This means the players are confident enough to take on the opponents.
New Zealand are not an easy team and they are in the midst of preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"So to beat a team ranked higher than us in an environment favourable to them, clearly indicate that the boys are now beginning to develop a sense of confidence about their ability,” said the 62-year-old Australian who hopes the test match would provide sufficient exposure and opportunities for the team to come together and develop as a unit.
Malaysia will play another two test matches against New Zealand in the tour which is part of Walsh's plan to bolster the national squad ahead of the annual Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament slated from April 6 to 16, in Ipoh, Perak. – Bernama, March 7, 2016.
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