3rd Hockey Test: South Korea pip New Zealand 2-0 to take 1-0 lead

South Korean men finally broke the deadlock in the six-match hockey Test series beating New Zealand 2-0 in the third Test match on Saturday.

The world eighth ranked side thoroughly deserved the victory for their overwhelming dominance throughout the seventy minutes of play.

The Shin Kyo Seok-coached South Korean outfit essayed a pacy game and controlled possession for most part of the first half but goals eluded them as both teams were goalless at half-time.

The Red Shirts earned an early penalty corner in the second stanza but Black Sticks goalkeeper Devon Manchester effected a superb save. South Korea pulled ahead in the 50th minute, with Nam Hyun Woo scored off a penalty corner. The visitors doubled the advantage three minutes later when nippy Hwang Tai tapped in at the near post.

It could easily have been 3-0 had Tai not muffed up an opportunity from close range.

New Zealand failed to control the game but had their moments. Drag-flick specialist Andy Hayward, who was rested in the first Test, missed their lone short corner opportunity while Stephen Jenness squandered some good scoring chances. Talented youngster George Muir made his senior international debut for New Zealand while Arun Panchia played his 100^th international on Saturday.

Earlier, New Zealand and South Korea 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 a 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.