The game that everyone has been waiting: The Final of this Tournament, New Zealand against Malaysia for the 11th place at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in New Delhi, February 2010.
New Zealand v Malaysia: 2:1 (0:1)
So we were now down to two in this Tournament.
New Zealand looked very sluggish from the start and they were often pressured by the speed of the Malaysians.
Malaysia also pressing forward and having the better goal scoring opportunities; it was Malaysia who would take full advantage. Malaysia were awarded a 18th minute penalty corner and Mohammed RAHIM drove the ball in which was a well working variation at the setplay.
Malaysia continued to put the hosts under pressure and remained resolute, going to the break with a one goal lead.
New Zealand needed a star turn to step up in the second and that was to be the case, but it would be some time before that would playout.
Being down, New Zealand and with a big hill to climb had the chance to lock it up in the 57th minute. After a succession of penalty corners and a green card to a Malaysian who persistenty broke early at the PC, Andy HAYWARD sent a shell rocketing to the back of the goal, locking up the score.
With the heads up in the New Zealand camp, and new life in the attack, possession swung to the New Zealanders and they camped deep in the opposition half.
Once again, for a danger situation in the circle, New Zealand were awarded another PC. HAYWARD again stepping up the have the attempt.
In a similar fashion, HAYWARD converted the penalty corner chance with and shell from his traditional drag flick, low to the right.
With ten minutes to go and with the Malaysians now those with a mountain to climb, New Zealand kept the ball and using a forward press, kept the Malaysians in their half.
With time almost up on the clock New Zealand sensed the win; the final hooter going to confirm the 2-1 win for New Zealand, coming back from a 0-1 deficit in the first half to take the eleventh position at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010.
BDO World Cup Qualifier, Men – Invercargill, New Zealand
Austria v Wales 3:2 (0:0)
WAL 39mn Benjamin CROXALL (FG) 0:1
WAL 41mn Matthew RUXTON (FG) 0:2
AUT 42mn Georg JELINEK (FG) 1:2
AUT 54mn Georg JELINEK (FG) 2:2
AUT 61mn Michael KORPER (FG) 3:2
China v Scotland 2:2 (3-5 aps) (1:2)
SCO 18mn Stephen DICK (FG) 0:1
CHN 20mn Yixian LIU (PC) 1:1
SCO 24mn Kenneth BAIN (FG) 1:2
CHN 38mn Fenghui LU (PC) 2:2
New Zealand v Malaysia 2:1 (0:1)
MAS 18mn Muhammad RAHIM (PC) 0:1
NZL 57mn Andy HAYWARD (PC) 1:1
NZL 60mn Andy HAYWARD (PC) 2:1
Source: www.worldhockey.org
