6th Hockey Test: South Korea beat New Zealand to clinch series 4-0

FILE PHOTO: South Korea completed a series win over New Zealand

South Korean men’s hockey team wrapped up the six-match Test series against New Zealand on an impressive note, putting it across the home side by the odd goal in three to pocket the series 4-0 at the Papatoetoe Sports Centre on Wednesday.

The Asian giants were up against a New Zealand side, who were determined to shrug off their winless ways in the series. The Black Sticks enjoyed more of the exchanges but goals eluded them.

South Korea may not have dominated the first half but went ahead in the 31st minute when Nam Young Lee made the most of a loose ball to beat New Zealand goalkeeper Devon Manchester after he came up with a decent initial save.

South Korea led 1-0 at half-time.

The Black Sticks were unperturbed by the late first half goal from the Koreans. They maintained sustained pressure on them and were soon rewarded when Stephen Jenness racked up the equaliser in the 62nd minute with a superb reverse shot from the top of the circle.

But the Koreans hit back in no time as Hyun Woo Nam converted a penalty corner one minute later. The Asian powerhouse held on to the lead to emerged 2-1 winners.

Earlier, South Korea clinched the series when they prevailed over New Zealand by a solitary goal in the fifth Test.

The Koreans had won the fourth Test 2-1. The Redshirts earlier 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 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, pipping 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 equaliser from Matt Williams.

Australia then concluded 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.