Despite a hat-trick from Wellington's Matt L'Huillier, the Black Sticks lost 3-5 against India in their final practice match in Ipoh, Malaysia on Wednesday. L'Huillier, the only uncapped player on the squad, put in a strong claim for a place in the team for the opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Friday with an impressive display scoring from every one of the Black Sticks three set pieces.
India started strongly and dominated the opening twenty minutes with an impressive attack. India opened the scoring on its first penalty corner in the eighth minute when Mahadik converted with a low shot past Kyle Pontifex in the New Zealand goal. Only five minutes later, India moved two goals ahead froon its second penalty corner when Rupinder fired a low shot into the net.
The Black Sticks steadied the onslaught and started to get back into the match. Some good work from the Black Sticks midfield of Steve Edwards, Arun Panchia, Ben Collier and Marcus Child saw the team start to get control of the game.
In the 27th minute, the Black Sticks won its first penalty corner. Matt L'Huillier cut the deficit with a ferocious drag flick high into the corner of the net. Four minutes later, L'Huillier repeated the magic from the Black Sticks second penalty corner with a powerful penalty flick low into the net making the game was even two until the half.
In the second-half, both sides pushed hard to take the lead, but India was strongerand went back in front in the 38th minute. The Black Sticks turned over possession, India counter-attacked quickly and took advantage of defender Nick Haig's unfortunate loss of footing and Chandri accepted the simplest of tap-ins to put India 3-2 up.
India's success from continued six minutes later when Rupinder fired home India's fourth and Mahadik added his second and India's fifth in the 54th minute. In the last fifteen minutes, the Black Sticks pushed hard to reduce the deficit. With only five minutes remaining, L'Huillier completed his hat-trick onNew Zealand's third penalty corner with another high drag flick to make the score 3-5.
On Thursday, the Black Sticks play their first match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup with a tough opener against Pakistan.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
