JAPAN WIN MEN’S SUMMER OF HOCKEY OPENER
The Men’s Summer of Hockey got underway in Hamilton under blue skies and true summer conditions, as the Vantage Black Sticks Men took on Japan in the opening match of their three-test series at the Gallagher Hockey Centre. A lively crowd, music, and festival atmosphere set the scene for an exciting start, a sharp contrast to the colder conditions seen earlier in the women’s series in Dunedin.
Before pushback, a special moment was recognised for goalkeeper Dom Dixon, who earned his 50th international cap for the Vantage Black Sticks Men. Debuting in 2018, Dixon has had an incredible journey in the pads and truly deserves this acknowledgement. To top it all off, he will also lead the side out today as captain in front of a home crowd.
Japan made an early statement, showing clean fundamentals and quick ball movement to put the Vantage Black Sticks Men under pressure. They created multiple goal-scoring opportunities and earned several penalty corners, but strong defence kept the score level. Despite Japan’s fast start, the first quarter ended scoreless in what was shaping up to be a highly competitive contest.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with Japan continuing to control territory and generate chances, including four more penalty corners. The Vantage Black Sticks Men earned just one penalty corner in the half to Japan’s five, and eventually Japan’s pressure told, converting from a penalty corner to take a 0–1 lead into halftime.
The third quarter brought more action, with Japan striking again from another penalty corner to extend their lead. The Vantage Black Sticks Men responded late in the quarter through a well-executed penalty corner variation, with Isaac Houlbrooke spinning at the top of the circle to find Nic Woods, who finished clinically to bring the score back to 1–2 heading into the final quarter.
Japan regained control in the last 15 minutes, adding three more goals to stretch the lead. The Vantage Black Sticks Men showed fight until the end, with Dylan Thomas driving along the baseline before cutting the ball back across goal for Sam Hiha to deflect home. However, Japan closed out the match strongly, securing a 2–5 win in the opening test.
While the result didn’t go the way of the Vantage Black Sticks Men, the Summer of Hockey series continues, with plenty still to play for. The focus now turns to the next test on Sunday at 4:30pm, with tickets still available for fans to come down and support the team as they look to level the series.
New Zealand Goal Scorers:
45’ Nic Woods – Penalty Corner Goal
56' Sam Hiha - Field Goal