Entry added by
Ben Simperingham
on
19 May 2010, 07:55 a.m.
Email: bensimperingham@yahoo.co.uk
The New Zealand Men kicked off their 2010 World League campaign with a hard-fought 15 - 12 victory over Iran in Osaka last night. The team started the match in spectacular fashion scoring the first five goals and concluding the first quarter 5 - 1 up with Matt Reid scoring from counter attack, Dan Jackson from center forward and veterans Sam Williams and Lachy Tijsen finishing 6 on 5 opportunities.
The second quarter again saw the kiwi attack on form with a further five goals added, with Dan Jackson adding his third from centre and Sam Williams proving too much for the Iranian defence. However Iran also woke up in this period and it was 10 - 6 at the half time break after their powerful centre forward Ali Pirouzkhah picked up a couple of goals and they managed two outside shots during play.
The second half saw the Iranian defence tighten up considerably as the kiwis struggled to get the ball to into the centre, however Sam Williams was having an excellent match posting up from the left creating five exclusions in total and scoring an epic goal in the third period, which finished at 12 - 11, with Conor Lui and Richard Small putting away extra man opportunities for the kiwis.
The final quarter was a tense affair particularly after Pirouzkhah drew Iran
level off the first attack of the game. However Toby Devine was able to repel all further shots at his goal and with 3 minutes left on the clock Richard Small converted from a tight angle on the right wing to edge the Kiwis ahead before Matt Reid stung the Iranian defence hitting the top corner long range and Sam Williams capped off the kiwi victory with the goal of the night from his post position to give the New Zealand side a well earned victory.
The NZ scorers were Richard Small 4, Sam Williams 4, Dan Jackson 3, Matt Reid 2, Conor Lui and Lachy Tijsen.