Black Sticks dominate with 5-0 lead at halftime; Pakistan fail to convert key chances
New Zealand successfully defended their FIH Nations Cup title on Saturday, delivering a commanding 6-2 victory over Pakistan in the final at Kuala Lumpur’s National Hockey Stadium.
The Black Sticks came out aggressively, scoring twice within the opening minutes, though both early strikes were ruled out. Undaunted, New Zealand maintained the pressure and soon asserted their dominance, outpacing the Pakistani defence.
Coslett Scott broke the deadlock before Heha Sam made it 2-0 by the end of the first quarter. The Kiwis continued their relentless attack in the second quarter, with Thomas Dylan, Findlay Sean, and Boyd Scott all finding the net, sending New Zealand into halftime with a commanding 5-0 advantage.
Pakistan responded after the break, with Hayat Zakaria pulling one back in the third quarter. The Green Shirts showed flashes of fight, earning five penalty corners in the same period, but were unable to convert any of them.
In the final quarter, Coslett Scott added his second goal and New Zealand’s sixth, putting the result beyond doubt. Sufyan Khan scored a late consolation for Pakistan from a penalty corner, sealing the 6-2 scoreline.
Despite the heavy defeat, the Pakistan Hockey Federation praised the team’s effort. In a social media post, the PHF described the final as “a tough end to a spirited campaign” and lauded the side’s heart and resilience in the face of adversity, including controversial calls in the early stages.
“Heads held high — this is just the beginning of a comeback story. Well played, Team Pakistan!” the federation wrote, expressing optimism for the future after Pakistan’s promising run in the tournament.
