MATCH TWO VS MALAYSIA - MEN’S NATIONS CUP 2025

17 June 2025 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A 40-minute delay due to thunder and lightning in previous games didn’t shake the Vantage Black Sticks Men, who pulled off a huge comeback in their second pool game of the FIH Nations Cup. Coming from 3-0 down to securing the win 4-3 against the home nation Malaysia.

The first half was tight. Malaysia had the better of the chances in the opening quarter, but Dom Dixon stood tall in goal, keeping the game scoreless.

The second quarter saw little attacking play from either side – an arm wrestle through the middle of the pitch. In the final 30 seconds New Zealand earned four consecutive penalty corners. Despite the pressure, the Malaysian defence held firm.

Malaysia came out firing in the third quarter, scoring two quick goals – one from a stroke being awarded off a penalty corner and another from a field goal – to take a 3-0 lead. But the Black Sticks weren’t done.

Finn Ward got New Zealand on the board with his first international goal, a tidy deflection past the keeper. Moments later, Malaysia went down to 10 players with a yellow card, and Head Coach Greg Nicol made a courageous call – taking the keeper off to create an overlap with two extra players. It paid off when Simon Yorston found the back of the net off a penalty corner deflection to bring it to 3-2 heading into the final quarter.

Within the first minute of the fourth quarter, Sean Findlay scored off a broken penalty corner play to level it 3-3. Less than two minutes later, Finn Ward fired a brilliant ball into the circle for a slick Sam Hiha touch into the net. Four goals in eight minutes secured a 4-3 victory to the Vantage Blacks Sticks Men.

A special night for Finn Ward and a massive effort from the team to turn the tide under pressure.

This win means that the Vantage Black Sticks have locked in a semi-final spot, but the opposition is yet to be decided. The next match will determine who finishes top of the pool (pool B) and plays second place in pool A. Our next match against Pakistan is one you can’t miss.

It’s live and free on TVNZ+, Wednesday 18 June 10.00pm NZT.