4th Hockey Test: South Korea beat New Zealand 2-1

South Korean men’s hockey team took an unassailable 2-0 in the six-match Test series when they prevailed over New Zealand 2-1 in the fourth Test at Pukekohe on Sunday.

The Black Sticks held sway of the proceedings early on and went ahead in the 15^th minute when drag-flick specialist Andy Hayward whipped home a robust flick.

The goal was the second of the series for Hayward, who turned out for Delhi Waveriders in the inaugural Hero Hockey India League.

The Shin Kyo Seok-coached South Korean outfit responded fittingly when Sung Hoon Yoon scored a field goal in the 23rd minute.

The confidence of the Redshirts soared after this goal as they pulled ahead two minutes when they were awarded a penalty stroke following a goalmouth scramble. Hyun Woo Nam calmly executed the stroke to help his side gain the upper hand.

The Black Sticks showed a lot of urgency in the second half in pursuit of the equalizer. The home side created several scoring opportunities but the Korean defence held out stoutly to ensure they can’t lose the six-match series.

At best, the Black Sticks can level the series if they win both the fifth and sixth Tests.

Earlier on Saturday, the Koreans broke the stalemate beating New Zealand 2-0 in the third Test.

Both New Zealand and South Korea had played out a second successive 1-1 draw in the second of the six match men’s hockey Test series at the Rangitoto College in Auckland.

The first Test had also ended in a 1-1 at the same venue.

It may be mentioned here that the South Koreans recently played a four-match Test series against Australia at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Perth.

The Asian giants won the first Test 4-1 in penalty shootout after both teams were locked goalless in regulation time.

Stung by the opening Test defeat, Australia came out firing in the second Test. Local boy Trent Milton pulled off a superb hat-trick as the Kookaburras thumped the Redshirts 5-2.

South Korea then took the upper hand leading 3-2 in the third Test, but were denied a much deserved win by a late equalizer from Matt Williams, who made his senior international debut during the ongoing four-match Test series.

Australia then wrapped up the series in style crushing the Koreans 4-0 in the fourth and final Test. Trent Milton, Russell Ford, Kieren Govers and Rob Hammond scored for the Kookaburras.

It may be worth recalling that the Perth Hockey Stadium had recently hosted the four-match Test series between the South Korea and Australian women.

The series ended with both team sharing the honours, winning two matches apiece.

The Hockeyroos won the opening Test 4-2 before the South Koreans hit back to win the second Test 2-1.

Australia clinched the third Test 6-0 before South Korea won the final Test 3-1.