New Zealand and Australia settled for a 2-2 draw in this highly entertaining match of the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Johor Hockey Stadium in Taman Daya, today.
The Future Black Sticks and Burras played positive attacking hockey throughout the first half, but could not translate the many opportunities into more goals till very end of regulation time.
The Kiwis are second in the table standings on four points – two behind table topper India, following today’s draw after picking up three points on Saturday in the 3-2 win over the Malaysians. Japan is third (3 points), Great Britain in fourth spot (3 pts), followed by Australia (1 point) and Malaysia with no point.
In an earlier match, the Indians defeated Great Britain 6-4. It was their second win in two days.
Following a rest day on Monday (Oct 21), the action in the SOJC returns on Tuesday with three more matches. Japan plays Australia (4pm), New Zealand goes into a showdown with Great Britain (6.0pm), and Malaysia take on India (8.35pm).
New Zealand captain Benjamin Culhane was adjudged the Man of the Match.
In the early proceedings of the match, it was the Kiwis who went 2-0 ahead with goals from Javahr Jones and Jonty Elmes in the seventh and eighth minutes respectively through penalty corner and a penalty stroke conversion.
The Burras, however, held their nerve in the second quarter and went on an attacking mode, keeping New Zealand goalkeeper Hayden Ganley busy. Their modus operandi worked well to their advantage as they worked their way back to first reduce the deficit to 1-2 through Hayden Pease’s 23rd minute penalty corner.
Daykin Stanger than scrambled home a field goal for a 2-2 equaliser two minutes to the end of the first half.
Both teams had a good third and fourth quarters, pacing the ball around patiently and constantly lurking near the goal mouths but could not find the net. The Australians earned a total of five penalty corners against three by New Zealand.
New Zealand (in black) and Australia in action on Day 2 of the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Johor Hockey Stadium on Sunday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
New Zealand captain Benjamin Culhane with the Man of the Match award