The Junior Black Sticks men got their series against the Malaysian juniors off to the best possible start with a landslide 8-0 victory at the McMillan Hockey Turf in Dunedin last night.
The Junior Black sticks had the edge all game, and will have confidence going into the second game today.
The first goal came within two minutes, after James Coughlan was allowed to weave in and out of the Malaysian defence, and pass into the circle for Callum Bailey to deflect the ball into the goal.
Malaysia looked like it would strike back straight away but Mohammad Fitri's shot was just wide of the goal.
There was plenty of positive play as Malaysia looked to use its speed down the middle while the Junior Black Sticks sought to attack down the wings.
It was not until 25 minutes that the second goal was scored, again by Bailey, to give the Junior Black Sticks a 2-0 lead.
Two more goals late in the half gave the Junior Black Sticks a 4-0 lead.
Once the New Zealanders shook off the halftime cobwebs they went about taking apart the Malaysian defence, with Coulghan scoring the first goal of the half.
Several times Malaysia looked like it would score but each timea pass would miss its target or be put out of play.
The Junior Black Sticks scored three more goals, with Jacob Smith getting the goal of the match, diving vertically half a metre off the ground to deflect a raised ball into the goal.
• Junior Black Sticks 8 (Callum Bailey (2), Issac Staples (2), Jacob Smith (2), Abir Mukherjee, James Coughlan). Malaysian Juniors 0. Halftime: 4-0.
