University of Waikato 4-nation hockey tournament: Japan surprise hosts to take bronze
Fast improving Japan sprang a major surprise defeating the hosts New Zealand 4-1 in penalty shootout after the two teams were tied 1-1 in the bronze medal match of the University of Waikato 4-nation hockey tournament at Hamilton on Sunday.
This was Japan's first win in the double-leg tournament and came as a great consolation for the Japanese who started the tournament with a 0-6 reverse at hands of India.
Japan started the bronze medal game on a pleasant note taking lead in the first quarter through a brilliant penalty corner conversion by S. Yamada. It was Yamada who had scored against India also.
Though the Kiwis were able to restore parity in the second half through a penalty corner by Kan Russels. They could not get past the Japanese defence in the rest of the game. Japanese, on the other hand, looked little better as they not only enjoyed territorial advantage but also initiated some brilliant moves.
After the teams failed to resolve the 1-1 deadlock at the end of the simulated period, penalty shoot out was enforced to decide the bronze medal winners. Japan again proved its superiority as all its first four attempts were successful while New Zealand could score only once from three attempts.
New Zealand had finished with a bronze in the first leg. But in the second leg, the hosts lost three of its four games and were able to beat Japan 5-4 in the league. However, Japan had the last laugh and won the bronze medal game.
