Black Sticks rebound from mauling to gain draw

The Black Sticks men have bounced back from their horror loss to draw with Malaysia in their final warmup ahead of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

New Zealand lost the opening test 8-2 on Sunday but rebounded with a 3-3 result yesterday.

It will put them in a better frame of mind as they head to Ipoh to prepare for their opening game at the tournament where they meet Australia first-up on Saturday (10pm, NZT).

Malaysia proved a handful over the two games. The score was 1-1 for much of the match before a flurry of goals from both sides in the final 10 minutes.

Canterbury’s Sam Lane opened the scoring for the Kiwis in the 19th minute through a wellworked penalty corner. Malaysia equalised thanks to a Marhan Jahlil penalty corner three minutes later and took the lead in the 53rd minute after Fitri Saari struck from the field.

But two goals in the 55th min- ute saw the Black Sticks surge into the lead when Stephen Jenness and Nick Ross both delivered field goals to put New Zealand up 3-2.

The hosts snatched a draw in the final minute through a penalty corner, which Faizal Saari sent into the goal.