New Zealand delivered a dominant performance in the FIH Nations Cup final, overpowering Pakistan 6-2 in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. With this win, the Kiwis secured a place in the next season of the prestigious FIH Pro League, while Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment.
Early Momentum with New Zealand
New Zealand signaled their intent early. Though their first two goals were disallowed, they didn’t take long to break through. Scott Coslett opened the scoring in the sixth minute by converting a penalty corner. Sam Hiha followed with a precise field goal in the final seconds of the first quarter to double the lead.
Ruthless in the Second Quarter
In the second quarter, New Zealand completely dominated. Dylan Thomas added a third goal within two minutes. A minute later, Sean Findlay struck a brilliant field goal, and Scott Boyde netted the fifth just before halftime. Pakistan struggled to contain the relentless Kiwi attack.
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Pakistan’s Late Fightback Falls Short
Pakistan finally opened their account in the third quarter when Zikriya Hayat smashed in a goal. The green shirts earned five penalty corners in the same quarter but failed to capitalize on any of them. This missed opportunity sealed their fate as New Zealand maintained a firm grip on the match.
Final Quarter Action
The final quarter saw both teams press hard. New Zealand earned another penalty corner, which Coslett converted with ease, making it 6-1. Pakistan responded swiftly with a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan Khan, bringing some respectability to the scoreline.
Pro League Qualification for New Zealand
Despite a couple of moments of brilliance from Pakistan, the result was never in doubt. New Zealand’s commanding 6-2 victory not only earned them the FIH Nations Cup title but also confirmed their promotion to the elite FIH Pro League. Pakistan, meanwhile, will need to reassess their strategies after missing several key chances.
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