The Vantage Black Sticks finished their 2025 Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup campaign in style, producing a commanding 6–1 victory over hosts Malaysia to secure the bronze medal in front of a packed and electric home crowd. With the stadium buzzing and the local supporters roaring from the opening whistle, the Vantage Black Sticks rose to the moment.
The tone was set early. The Vantage Black Sticks opened the match with two clinical field goals, both finished by Sam Lane after sharp passing sequences and strong connections through the attacking third. Lane’s timing and positioning were superb, 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 play. Lane came inches away from completing a first-half hat-trick when his penalty corner flick was brilliantly denied by a Malaysian defender on the post.
Moments later, the spotlight shifted to James Hickson, who produced a moment he’ll never forget. Bursting through midfield on a rapid counter-attack, Hickson carried the ball nearly 60 metres 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 carried a 3–0 lead into halftime.
The third quarter belonged entirely to Lane, who delivered one of the standout periods of his international career. He scored three goals in the space of 15 minutes. A clinical penalty corner finish, a superb field goal at the end of a full-length counter-attack sparked by outstanding penalty corner defence from George Baker, and finally a composed penalty stroke that sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. Malaysia responded with a penalty stroke of their own, but the Vantage Black Sticks entered the final quarter up 6–1.
With the match under control, the fourth quarter saw no further goals, sealing a memorable 6–1 victory and a well-earned bronze medal for the Vantage Black Sticks.
The win capped an outstanding tournament for Lane, who finished the match with five goals and moved to the top of the tournament goal-scoring chart with nine. With only the final between Belgium and India remaining, Lane sits three goals clear of Belgium’s Tom Boon, positioning him strongly to claim the Top Goal Scorer award.
A superb performance, a clinical display of finishing, and a strong statement of growth 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 reaching major milestones. Malachi Buschl brought up his 50th cap for the Vantage Black Sticks, and Sam Lane’s five-goal haul lifted him to 51 international goals. An outstanding personal milestone and a reflection of his continued impact on the world stage.
New Zealand Goal Scorers:
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 Stroke Goal
