KUALA LUMPUR – New Zealand hockey head coach Greg Nicol is confident that his side will be able to defend their Nations Cup title by defeating Pakistan in the final tonight at 9pm.
The 50-year-old coach made the remarks after his team battled to a 4-3 victory over South Korea in the semi-finals via a penalty shootout, following a 2-2 draw in normal time at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Speaking to Scoop, Nicol said he was proud of his players for delivering a strong performance against their world number 13 opponents, securing a spot in their second consecutive final in two years.
“The boys had a great game today, despite being a bit shaky in the first two quarters. Their finishing was better compared to the last three games in this tournament, and they played with a lot of passion throughout the 60-minute match.
“Last year, we gave a good account of ourselves in the FIH Pro League, and this year, we want to win this tournament again with this young team and prove our worth in that prestigious competition once more.
“The team has been in solid form, especially with the number of goals we’ve scored. If we maintain this same momentum against Pakistan, I’m confident we can clinch the Nations Cup again without any issues,” said Nicol.
At the same time, Nicol expressed respect for his Pakistani opponents, recognising them as a serious threat, particularly due to their potent forward line capable of scoring at crucial moments.
“I’m impressed by their progress over the past two years, despite not having played as many friendlies or tournaments as other nations, including us.
“Our defence must be at 100% when we face them, as they have several dangerous attackers in their frontline. If we’re not vigilant, things could take a turn for the worse.
“They’re known for punishing their opponents in the final quarters of a match, and we mustn’t allow that to happen. I have full confidence in my players’ capabilities—they have all the characteristics needed to emerge victorious,” Nicol added.
New Zealand have scored a total of 12 goals in this year’s Nations Cup, with 22-year-old Scott Cosslett currently their top scorer.
The Black Sticks won the Nations Cup last year by defeating France 4-3 on penalties, after the match ended 1-1 in normal time. — June 21, 2025