By Admin 
Heavy showers halted the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup clash between New Zealand and Japan twice for more than an hour in the third quarter at the SDAT–Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Monday. Despite the long interruptions and a 1-2 deficit at half-time, the Kiwis staged a strong comeback to prevail 3-2.
Later, Argentina confirmed its place in the knockout phase with a 3-1 victory over China, thanks to Bruno Correa’s hat-trick.
Argentina (seven points from three matches) pushed New Zealand to the second place by virtue of better goal difference (+5 to the Kiwis’ +3).
New Zealand struck in the first minute when Scott Illerbrun slid in to push the ball home.
Japan hit back quickly, Kyoya Toya unleashing a fierce forehand to draw level. Late in the opening quarter, Japan went ahead as Matsuki Mori pounced on a rebound off the goalkeeper’s pads and guided it home.
Holding a 2-1 lead at the break, Japan returned for the third quarter looking assured. But the Future Black Sticks had other plans. With rain pouring down, it struck twice in the space of three minutes through Owen Brown and Jonty Elmes to turn the match on its head.
Brown’s blistering backhand from close range left no chance for the goalkeeper.
Moments later, Elmes collected a long pass from near the halfway line; his first backhand attempt was blocked, but he latched onto the rebound and lifted the ball into the roof of the net.
For a while in the fourth quarter, New Zealand was reduced to nine players after Finlay Nealae (yellow card, 10-minute suspension) and captain Gus Nelson (green card, two-minute suspension) were sent off. Yet the side defended resolutely to preserve its slender lead.
With its second win (seven points in total) from three matches, the Kiwis remain in contention for a place in the knockouts.
The results: In Chennai: Pool C: New Zealand 3 (Scott Illerbrun 1, Owen Brown 37, Jonty Elmes 40) bt Japan 2 (Kyoya Toya 5, Matsuki Mori 14); Argentina 3 (Bruno Correa 15, 16 & 51) bt China 1 (Yanwei Di 37).
In Madurai: Pool A: Germany 5 (Jonas von Gersum 4 & 50, Paul Glander 34, Lukas Kossel 52, Christian Franz 53) bt Ireland 1 (Samuel Dale 51); South Africa 9 (Jaydon Brooker 8, 13, 36 & 50, Brett Horn 22, Sian Maart 25, Daniel Neuhoff 38, Carlos Mentoor 48, Ross Montgomery 60) bt Canada 1 (Robin Thind 14).