SOJC 2016: Japan Beat New Zealand 4-1 In Second Match

JOHOR BAHRU (Johor, Malaysia), Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Japan's junior hockey squad displayed an excellent performance in the second match of the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) 2016 when they defeated New Zealand 4-1 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium Tuesday evening. Koji Yamasaki opened scoring in the 19th minute via a penalty corner followed by another penalty corner in the 25th minute for the squad coached by Kyoichi Nagaya to lead by two goals before Kyohei Ogawa added the third in the 29th minute through a field goal. New Zealand tried to close the gap when Oliver Logan scored via a penalty corner goal in the 64th minute but Kaito Tanaka sealed victory for the Japanese team, who failed to collect their first three points after losing 6-0 to Australia in the opening match Monday, through a field goal in the 69th minute. In another second round match Tuesday, Australia and Pakistan shared a point each after a 2-2 draw. Australia secured two goals in the first half through penalty corner goals by Will Calnan in the 12th and 39th minutes while Ullah Sami and Abu Mahmood scored a penalty corner goal each for Pakistan in the 63rd and 69th minutes. In Tuesday night's matches, Malaysia also recorded a 2-2 draw against Australia. The national junior hockey team's two goals were contributed by Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozem and Mohamad Zulhamizan Awang Abas in the 39th and the 59th minute. While the two goals for Australia were scored by Tom Craig in the 58th minute and Kiran Arunasalam in the 66th minute. In the third round of matches Wednesday, Japan will play against New Zealand at 4.00pm, New Zealand will meet Australia at 6.00pm and Malaysia are scheduled to meet Pakistan at 8.30pm. -- BERNAMA