Kiwis lift Azlan Shah Cup, India wins bronze

Players of New Zealand celebrate after winning Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

Ipoh, June 3 : New Zealand defeated Argentina to lift the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time in its 21 years of competition while India placed third after defeating Great Britain by 3-1.

It was heartbreak for Argentina who dominated the proceedings but just could not find their scoring touch.

Both teams were rather apprehensive in the opening minutes as Argentina opted to let New Zealand attack and relied on fast counter attacks to break them down.

New Zealand were awarded a penalty corner in the 18th minute and Andy Hayward stepped up to send a low flick past a despairing dive by Argentina keeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi.

Argentina were awarded two penalty corners, one in the 31st minute and the second in the 39th, and New Zealand keeper Kyle Pontifex denied them on both occassions.

Try as they did, stout defending by Dean Couzins and Hayward, combined with smart play by Simon Child as well as Ryan Archibald denied Argentina.

In the match to decide the bronze medal, India came from a goal down to defeat Great Britain 3-1.

Ashley Jackson opened scoring in the 35th minute as his penalty corner flick sailed into goal giving Indian custodian Bharat Chetri no chance whatsover.

India were undeterred as they created several chances. And they were duly rewarded as Shivendra Singh fired home in the 43rd minute to level the scores.

Sandeep Singh showed he still had it in him despite an indifferent performance in earlier matches by converting a penalty corner in the 52nd minute.

Tushar Khandker sealed the third spot with a goal in the 69th minute for India.

In the match to decide the 5th and 6th placing, South Korea edged Malaysia 3-2.

Korea scored in the opening minute through Hyun Hye Sung. But Malaysia drew level in the 17th minute via Hafifihafiz Hanafi.

Korea then scored twice, via Jang Jong Hyun ( 42nd minute) and You Hyo Sik (50th minute) to take a 3-1 lead. Although malaysia reduced the deficit via Faisal Saari in the 63rd minute, there was not enough time for an equaliser.

Posted by Unknown on 22:35. Filed under Argentina, Azlan Shah Cup, Great Britain, India, Malaysia, News, Sports, Top Stories . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0