default-output-block.skip-main
Sport | Black Sticks

Black Sticks claim thrilling win by penalty shootout

The Black Sticks have returned home after defeating world number one, Australia, at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.  It is the third time New Zealand has beaten Australia in 23 years.

With the New Zealand side riding on a high, the team believes they can give the Aussies another run for their money in four weeks.

According to Blair Hilton, "Another crack at the Aussies will be good.  They'll be gunning for us as well now, so we know we have to step it up again and hopefully keep improving, going towards Tasmania.”

A standout out performer was Māori teammate, Andy Hayward, who took out the man of the match award.

"Obviously I got the fortunate job of finishing off the teams effort come penalty corner time, so lucky enough I got to score both those goals and their all team effort goals those ones.   I'm just a guy that gets the name on the board,” Hayward says.

It's been four years since New Zealand defeated the world number one and the first time a team has ever won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in a penalty shootout.