Black Sticks begin Nations Cup defence with 2-1 win over Japan

The Black Sticks men have opened their Nations Cup title defence with a gritty 2-1 victory over Japan in Malaysia.

New Zealand were made to work for the win after Japan struck early, finding the back of the net just four minutes into the match.

But the Kiwis hit back almost immediately with Sam Hiha levelling the score inside 90 seconds.

The winner, though, didn't come until the final quarter. Striker Dylan Thomas sealed the result with a decisive finish to hand New Zealand the perfect start to their campaign.

Player of the match Thomas said the win was crucial for the team's tournament defence.

"It has been a good build-up and we have felt really good since arriving in Malaysia. We are stoked to get the result today.

"It was really important we got the three points," he said.

It's a result that sets the tone for a crucial campaign in a tournament that doubles as the qualifier for international hockey's top-tier league, the FIH Pro League.

"Of course we’re coming here to win the title," striker Sam Lane told 1News ahead of the opening match. "But I think it would be a pretty awesome message if we can go back-to-back."

It's a message directed at world hockey bosses.

"The Pro League has its complexities," Lane said. "It definitely favours countries that are close together. Hopefully, we can send a message. Is this really the right format going forward?"

The Black Sticks men and women were both defending champions heading into the event, earning promotion from their respective Nations Cup tournaments. However, Hockey NZ was forced to decline both entries due to costs.

New Zealand isn’t alone. South Africa also turned down their Pro League spot after winning the Nations Cup in 2022.

Head coach Greg Nicol says even without the Pro League prize, the tournament still carried major value.

"These are the tier-two teams you’ll face at World Cups or Olympics, and they can trip you up if you’re not ready," Nicol said. "Every game also carries world ranking points. Pro League or not, this tournament matters."

The challenge, though, is deeper than tournament structure. The Black Sticks will play just eight test matches in 2025.

"When I started, I played 30 in one season. Sophie Cocks played 50 in a year for the women. It’s a major difference now," Lane said.

However, money was tight for the national programme after the women failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. The men qualified but failed to register a win during the Games. Hockey NZ’s funding has now nearly halved.

"Every day together, we have to be way more accurate," Nicol said. "We start each day asking, 'What’s our purpose?' We’ve had to be extremely deliberate.”

The Black Sticks men next face tournament hosts Malaysia in their second pool match tomorrow morning.

All Nations Cup matches are live and streamed on TVNZ+.