New Zealand defeated Hong Kong, China, 10-6, in the play-in round of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Men’s Lacrosse Championship in Wellington on Friday, to advance to the semifinals alongside Japan and seal its spot in the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship.
New Zealand led 7-2 at halftime, withstood Hong Kong’s comeback effort in the third and received crucial goals from James Stacey and Dante Martin to ensure the gap only was as close as two goals.
New Zealand will make its seventh appearance at the Men’s Championship, having made the last six since 2002.
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Japan defeated Korea in the other play-in game, 18-7, crystallizing the semifinal quartet in Wellington alongside Australia and the Philippines, who won their pools on Thursday. With Japan already qualified for the 2027 Men’s Championship as the host, the four teams representing the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union are now set.
Japan will be appearing in its ninth Men’s Championship.
Alongside the seven teams qualified from the European Lacrosse Federation, 11 spots at the 16-team Men’s Championship are taken, with five more on the line in the 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
Saturday’s schedule in Wellington features three games including two semifinals. At 9 a.m. NZT, the undefeated Philippines looks to keep its momentum going against the host New Zealand before a heavyweight clash between Australia and Japan at 12 p.m. NZT.
Korea and Hong Kong, China will face off for fifth place at 3 p.m.
Live statistics throughout the event are available at worldlacrosse.sport/APMLC26 and streaming is available with an event pass on WL TV for $20 USD.
New Zealand
10
Top Performers
James Stacey: 16 face-off wins, two goals
Blake van der Maas: Nine saves, 60% save percentage
Highlights
Japan
18
Top Performers
Komatsu Yuto: Two goals, two assists
Komine Takuma and Kuroda Kenshiro: Three goals, one assist
Highlights
