The Vantage Black Sticks ended their 2025 Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup campaign in style, recording an impressive 6-1 victory over hosts Malaysia to secure the bronze medal in front of a packed and enthusiastic home crowd. As the stadium buzzed and the local supporters roared from the opening whistle, the Vantage Black Sticks rose to the occasion.
The tone was set early. The Vantage Black Sticks opened the match with two clinical field goals, both finished by Sam Lane after crisp passing sequences and strong connections through the attacking third. Lane’s timing and positioning were excellent, giving his side a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with the Vantage Black Sticks continuing to dictate the game. Lane was inches away from completing a first-half hat-trick when his penalty corner was brilliantly denied by a Malaysian defender on the post.
Moments later, the spotlight shifted to James Hickson, who produced a moment he will never forget. Hickson burst through midfield after a quick counter-attack and carried the ball almost 60 yards before unleashing a powerful reverse stick shot into the back of the net. His first international goal and a statement moment in the bronze medal final. The Vantage Black Sticks led 3-0 at halftime.
The third quarter was entirely owned by Lane, who delivered one of the standout spells of his international career. He scored three goals in the space of fifteen minutes. A clinical penalty corner, an excellent field goal at the end of a long counter-attack, fueled by George Baker’s superb penalty corner defense, and finally a controlled penalty that sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. Malaysia responded with a penalty of their own, but the Vantage Black Sticks went into the final quarter 6-1.
With the match under control, there were no more goals in the fourth quarter, delivering a memorable 6-1 victory and a well-deserved bronze medal for the Vantage Black Sticks.
The victory capped an excellent tournament for Lane, who finished the match with five goals and moved to the top of the tournament’s goalscoring chart with nine. With only the final between Belgium and India remaining, Lane is three goals ahead of Belgian Tom Boon, putting him in a strong position to claim the Top Scorer award.
An excellent performance, a clinical display of finish and a strong growth statement from the Vantage Black Sticks. The bronze medal is well deserved and a fitting end to their Azlan Shah Cup campaign.
It was also a special night for two players who achieved important milestones. Malachi Buschl brought up his 50th cap for the Vantage Black Sticks, and Sam Lane’s five goals took him to 51 international goals. An exceptional personal milestone and a reflection of his continued impact on the world stage.
New Zealand goalscorers:
5′ Sam Lane – Field goal
7′ Sam Lane – Field goal
29′ James Hickson – Field goal
33′ Sam Lane – Penalty corner goal
34′ Sam Lane – Field goal
41′ Sam Lane – Penalty goal
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