2nd Leg Four Nations Hockey Tourney: Black Sticks set up final appointment with world champions Argentina

File Photo: New Zealand Hockey

New Zealand eves came out all guns blazing in a rain-hit match, hammering South Korea 5-1 to storm into the final of the second leg of the Four Nations hockey tournament at Blake Park in Tauranga.

The match saw weather gods disrupting proceedings. Play was halted play 25 minutes into the first half with South Korea leading by a Seul Ki Cheon goal.

The Black Sticks women, who needed at least a draw to reach the final, came to the party after a three-hour break.

Experienced striker Katie Glynn was in roaring form, scoring all the first four goals, including a penalty stroke before Olivia Merry rounded off the tally.

New Zealand will meet world champions as well as Olympic silver medallists Argentina in Sunday’s final, despite their 1-1 draw with the USA.

Argentina drew first blood through Delfina Merino before Rachel Dawson equalized for the Americans in the dying moments of play.

South Korea and the USA will play in the bronze medal lay-off match.

Earlier, New Zealand eves had clinched the first leg of the Four Nations hockey tournament, which concluded at the ITM Hockey Centre in Whangarei last week.

The Black Sticks women downed South Korea 3-0 in the final clash. The triumph was a sweet revenge for the home side, who were handed a narrow 3-4 defeat by the Asian giants in the tournament opener.

World champions and Olympic silver medallists Argentina put up a disappointing showing in the first leg, failing to even reach the final in a tourney featuring teams ranked below them, having to settle for the third spot after quelling the challenge of the United States.

Argentina, who played the first leg without seven-time world player of the year, Luciana Aymar, looked a struggling outfit unable to live up to their world number two ranking.

The second leg of the Four Nations hockey tournament runs till April 21.

It may be worth recalling that the Black Sticks played a five Test series in Argentina, which they lost 1-2, winning one game, losing two matches and drawing two games.

All the four participating teams are utilizing this tournament to prepare for the FIH Hockey World League semifinals, which is the new World Cup qualification tournament. The 10th ranked USA and world number one Argentina will compete in the second semi-final in London, while 8th ranked South Korea and 3rd ranked New Zealand will compete in the first semi-final in Rotterdam in June.