Japan rolled out the biggest upset in this 30th edition of the SAS Cup following a 4-1 triumph over Paris Olympics-bound New Zealand in Ipoh today, and in the process consolidated their position in the run-up for the coveted title.
The Japanese, whose best performance in the history of the SAS Cup was a 4th place finish in the 2022 edition, and two-time champions New Zealand, ranked World No 10, started this crucial match on the back of positive results against South Korea and Canada respectively on Saturday.
Japan had earlier deflated the Koreans 2-1, while the Kiwis edged Canada 7-1.
Japan now goes top of the standings with six points.
Both teams last played each other at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games. However, the Black Sticks chances of progressing to the medal rounds were shattered when they were held to a 2-2 draw in a pool match.
The Black Sticks paraded four of their senior players in team captain Blair Tarrant (255 caps), Hayden Phillips (126), Jake Smith (115), and Dane Lett (117 caps), and a host of youngsters in an effort to stop the Japanese march. But the strategy did not hold water.
Backed by a 30-member fan group consisting of students from SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, forward Naru Kimura surprised New Zealand with the first strike from a field goal in the 13th minute, while Raiki Fujishima extended the lead to 2-0 (23rd) via a penalty corner conversion.
The demolition exercise against New Zealand continued until the 43rd minute with Man of the Match, Tsubasa Tanaka, slamming goal No 3 (43rd). The Black Sticks pulled a goal back through Scott Cosslett in the 55th minute via penalty corner conversation.
Troubled by the 3-1 setback New Zealand coach Greg Nicol opted for power play but it did not do any good. Instead, Japan went 4-1 ahead through Ken Nagayoshi’s penalty corner conversion in the 59th minute of regulation time.
NEW ZEALAND: GREG NICOL (COACH)
“Congratulations to Japan They took their chances. We did a lot of things well but we did not do the things that mattered. Basically, what happens in the attacking and defensive circle will decide the outcome. We played pretty well between those two, but no so well in the circles and they took their chances, while we had only one penalty corner conversion. That is something we have to look at.
Japan will be a real contender for the title looking at way they performed. We have to go back to the drawing board and plan for our next game against Malaysia. The tournament is getting very competitive.
Yesterday we saw Pakistan and Malaysia gave an outstanding and high intensity match. We really have to prepare for the heat in our next matches.
JAPAN: ANAI YOSHIHIRO (COACH)
“We just follow the principles of Samurai Japan hockey. That is our secret weapon. The players played with a lot of discipline throughout the match and followed the game plan strictly. That was out winning solution.
If you are to look at New Zealand team, they are physically in better advantage and also are ranked higher than us. But I credit my players for their mental strength and also focused on defence. We did a good job here denying New Zealand from scoring more goals.”
MAN OF THE MATCH: TSUBASA TANAKA
“I am very excited with this win. Actually, I followed the instructions by our coach and we played a very attacking and disciplined game. It was a tough match against New Zealand and we proved it that it is not difficult to win. I started playing hockey since I was 12 years old. My next mission is to score two goals against Pakistan in our next game.”
