Japan’s first hockey win

Press, 9 August 1985, Page 32

Japan’s first hockey win

PA Wellington The touring Japanese men’s hockey team produced an astounding form reversal to defeat the New Zealand Juniors 4-1 at Mount Albert Stadium, Wellington, yesterday. The win, following Japan’s 0-3 loss to the Juniors on Wednesday, was a big boost for the tourists before the first test against the New Zealand senior team today. The win was Japan’s first in five tour games, and owed much to a far more determined approach. But the young New Zealand side, which included four changes from its winning combination, also contributed to its own downfall with shoddy play. The cohesion that helped in the Juniors’ Wednesday win was missing, and too often players chose to run with the ball rather than pass. . It was slack marking by

the New Zealanders, rather than creative build-ups by the tourists, which gave Japan most of its chances. But outstanding for Japan were on the left wing, Kanouri Maeda, causing problems for the Juniors’ defence, while on the other flank, Minoru Sakamoto had a hand in two of his side’s goals. For the Juniors, only centre half Dave Penfold and . full-back Craig Grimshaw enhanced their reputations. Japan scored first on the counter-attack through the inside left, Taichi Nagai. The Juniors equalised in the thirty-fourth minute, with Jetu Parag pivotting slickly before hammering the ball home.

Japan was in front 16s later, when Takashi Endo scored from a penalty corner, and cemented victory in the second spell with goals by Tohru Umezawa and Maeda.