Latest news with #NicWoods
RNZ News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ men's hockey team win Nations Cup
The New Zealand men's hockey team celebrates winning the 2025 FIH Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur, after beating Pakistan 6-2 in the final. Photo: WORLDSPORTPICS / PHOTOSPORT There has been a big result for the New Zealand men's hockey team beating Pakistan 6-2 in the final of the Nations Cup in Malaysia. A dominant first half set up the victory, even though they had two goals disallowed in the opening minutes. They eventually broke through when Scott Cosslett scored from a penalty corner. Four more goals came before halftime, as the Black Sticks took the game away from Pakistan, with Sam Hiha doubling the lead, and then excellent goals scored by Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay and Scott Boyde. Findlay's, in particular, was super classy, as he blasted home from the most acute of angles, after receiving an aerial pass. New Zealand's last goal came in the final three minutes of the match, with Cosslett's second successful drag flick from a penalty corner, which left the team full of smiles at the post-match presentation. Scott Coslett celebrates scoring a goal for New Zealand in the Nations Cup final. Photo: WORLDSPORTPICS / PHOTOSPORT The result was especially sweet for experienced New Zealand player Nic Woods, who was named player of the match. "It's nice to have one of those games where things just come together and it all clicked today. "I'm very happy that it happened in the final and very happy for our success, and looking forward to what we can accomplish together," Woods said. The title is New Zealand's second consecutive Nations Cup crown, and crucially, wins them promotion back into the top-tiered FIH Hockey Pro League. - RNZ
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
NZ men reach semifinal
Finn Ward of the Black Sticks during their Nations Cup game against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Black Sticks men pulled off another remarkable comeback at the Nations Cup in Malaysia yesterday. The New Zealanders fought back from 3-1 down at halftime to beat Pakistan 4-3 in their final pool game. That made it three wins from three in pool play. They finish top of pool B and will play Korea in a semifinal tomorrow morning (NZ time). New Zealand came out firing and dominated the opening minutes yesterday. The pressure paid off early, Nic Woods converting a penalty corner flick to give his side the lead. But Pakistan responded in style. They took control of the midfield, forcing turnovers and countering hard, and their defence was solid, shutting down every circle entry. Three unanswered goals put Pakistan in charge going into halftime. The third quarter was all Black Sticks, however. After several penalty corner chances were denied, Scott Cosslett finally broke through with a powerful flick. Just a minute later, he did it again, and the two goals in quick succession had the game at 3-3 heading into the final quarter. Cosslett was not done. Six minutes into the fourth, he scored from a penalty corner to complete his hat-trick. There were more chances to extend the lead — a rocket from Sean Findlay and a diving effort from Finn Ward were denied by some outstanding goalkeeping from Pakistan. Ward was making his third appearance for the Black Sticks and was joined by brother Patrick, who was activated from the travelling reserves due to illness to team-mate Gus Nelson. Fellow Otago players Benji Culhane and Malachi Buschl also saw some action. — APL
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Scott helps Kiwis beat Pak in Nations Cup
New Zealand beat Pakistan after Scott Cosslett's amazing hat-trick led his team to victory in the FIH Nations Cup on Wednesday at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Pakistan dominated the opening quarter, racing to a 3-1 lead by the end of the first 15 minutes. Although New Zealand struck first through Nic Woods in the sixth minute, Pakistan responded swiftly with two goals in the 13th and 14th minutes, both netted by Abdul Rehman. Rana Waheed Ashraf then extended the lead with a third goal in the 28th minute, putting the Green Shirts firmly in control. However, New Zealand mounted a strong comeback in the second half. Scott Cosslett emerged as the game-changer, scoring twice in the third quarter — in the 43rd and 45th minutes — to draw level. He completed his hat-trick in the 52nd minute via a penalty corner, sealing a dramatic turnaround and handing the Kiwis a decisive 4-3 lead. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan's opening match of the tournament, against Malaysia, ended in a 3-3 draw, despite Pakistan taking the lead twice during the game. In their second outing, the Men in Green edged past Japan 3-2 in a thrilling encounter, mounting a comeback after trailing 2-1 to clinch a hard-fought victory. The loss is a significant setback to Pakistan's semi-final hopes, which now hinge on the outcome of the Malaysia vs Japan match. A defeat for Malaysia could still see Pakistan advance to the final four. Meanwhile, France and Korea have already confirmed their semi-final berths from Pool A.
