IPOH – New Zealand head coach Greg Nicol openly acknowledges Japan as the real contenders to clinch the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The 49-year-old’s response came after his side’s shocking 4-1 defeat to their opponents at the Azlan Shah Stadium today.
It was the Samurai’s first win against New Zealand in the last five years since defeating them in a test match in 2019.
Greg said that the Japanese team, under the guidance of Yoshihiro Anai, has improved a lot over the years with their attacking and defending display.
The match, which attracted approximately 200 fans to the stadium, saw a total of 22 attacks launched by the New Zealand side, with Japan easily intercepting their attacks in the four-quarter match.
“They have improved a lot since the last time we played them, and I admire the way they are playing like champions. If they continue this momentum, I won’t be surprised if they clinch the title.
“The team looks very balanced; the combination play between the young and the senior players is really good and shows a really good sign of their development.
“It’s good to have teams like Japan in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, as it will stimulate all the other teams to be more competitive and better.
“They have all the potential to win all the tournaments they compete in and make a reappearance in the Olympics in the next four years,” said Nicol during a post-match conference.
For the record, both sides have clashed a total of 34 times since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, with New Zealand having a higher winning percentage of 67.65%.
Their match ended in a 2-2 draw when both sides met at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in a Pool A encounter.
The Japan side will take on Pakistan in their third match on May 7, while New Zealand will face defending champions Malaysia on the same day. – May 5, 2024