Match 17 of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar – Rourkela between Malaysia and New Zealand was played today. Today’s match was their 26th meeting, where New Zealand had won 13 times. The last meeting was in the “Ready Steady Tokyo Hockey (Men)” in 2019, where the Black Sticks defeated the Speedy Tigers 3 to 1 in Tokyo.
In the first half, Speedy Tigers’ penetrated the ball outside the circle, and the Black Sticks’ defenders could not catch it. Saari Faizal grabbed the chance and pushed in the ball. The Umpire wasn’t entirely satisfied with the goal and called for a video referral. After a lengthy discussion with the video umpire, the umpire officiated the goal was legit, and Malaysia led 1-0 to New Zealand.
The first half was quite exciting as both teams kept attacking aggressively. The first half ended with Malaysia 1 and New Zealand 0.
In the second half, Malaysia earned a penalty corner after a mistake caused by the Black Sticks. Rahul Razie slapped the ball hard into the Black Sticks’ frame, giving Malaysia the lead against the New Zealand team.
In the 4th quarter, The Black Sticks’ Hayden Phillips dribbled across the Speedy Tigers’ defenders and slapped the ball into the goal frame. Malaysia’s goalkeeper couldn’t save it as it was too powerful. New Zealand has one now, while Malaysia remained 2.
While after, New Zealand’s earned a Penalty Corner as the Malaysian defender made a mistake inside the circle. The Black Sticks grabbed the chance and converted it into a goal. Sam Lane’s of the Black Sticks’ scored. Malaysia 2, New Zealand 2.
In less than 4 minutes, Saari Faizal dribbled into the circle and scored. Malaysia 3, New Zealand 2.
A Video Referral was called in the last minutes to check on the Malaysia Defender’s foul. It ends with the Video Umpire declared that there’s no foul. The umpire blew the whistle and declared Malaysia had won the match. Malaysia now sits in the 2nd position of Pool C.
