Kiwis rally to beat Argentina 3-2 in Azlan Shah opener

Kuala Lumpur, June 18 (UNI) New Zealand erased a two-goal deficit to beat Argentina 3-2 and register their first win at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament at the Bukit Jalil stadium here today.

Argentina had raced to a 2-0 lead but couldn't sustain the pace in the second half, giving ample space to the Kiwis who managed a remarkable turnaround, pumping in three goals to give them a winning start to their campaign.

Argentina scored through Matias Damian Vila who flicked in both their goals in the third and 28th minute.

After the break, the Kiwi renaissance was led by Hayden Shaw (37th) with a high flick off New Zealand's first penalty corner. In the 42nd minute, Bevan Hari and Gareth Brooks stringed together a wonderful move before Brooks shot into an empty goal with the Argentinian goalkeeper caught on the wrong foot.

The winner came in the 62nd minute when Richard Petherick sounded the boards off a low flick after New Zealand had earned their second penalty corner.

Argentina coach Vigil Sergio Roberto said that the Kiwis played well in the second half and his team, after their 26-hour flight from Buenos Aires, didn't have much energy left in the second half though he clarified ''it is not an excuse''.

Vigil also said that the Azlan Shah tournament would be more of a testing ground for the Argentinian team as to where they stand in world hockey.

''We need to utilise this opportunity to do well in the World Cup,'' he said.

New Zealand manager and former player, Peter Miskimmin, said that Argentina kept them pinned down in the first half but they changed tactics and used the flanks to outrun the Argentinian defence.

''Once the gaps were created, we used them to good effect,'' he explained.

The Kiwi manager also hoped that they would have a similar result in the September World Cup where New Zealand also meets Argentina in their first match.

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