4 Jun 2012

Black Sticks take international hockey title

9:55 am on 4 June 2012

The New Zealand men's hockey team has defeated Argentina 1-nil to take the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time.

Andy Hayward scored for the Black Sticks in the 18th minute courtesy of a penalty corner in the match in Malaysia on Sunday.

Argentina, ranked 9th in the world, were awarded two penalty corners but the New Zealand keeper Kyle Pontifex denied them on both occassions.

During the tournament New Zealand, ranked 7th in the world, had wins over 10th-ranked India ranked and 8th-ranked Pakistan, though they lost to South Korea on Saturday.

The tournament is seen as an important last warm-up for the London Olympics.

The team for the Olympics will be announced on 12 June.