Hockey: Black Sticks open London Cup with win

The Black Sticks men's hockey team has beaten Korea 2-0 in the opening match of the four nations London Cup in London this morning (NZT).

New Zealand started the better of the two sides and despite enjoying the majority of the possession were unable to convert a succession of penalty corners.

On the stroke of halftime good work along the back line saw the ball pulled back for New Zealand's Simon Child to slap home and give his side the lead.

Mid-way through the second half good work down the left found Nick Wilson unmarked on the penalty spot. Striking his first shot into the goalkeeper's pads he made no mistake with the rebound and stroked the ball into the unguarded net.

Korea pressed higher in an effort to come back into the game and a flurry of crashed balls into the circle saw them win a late penalty corner. Jong Hyun Jang rattled the cross bar with a fierce drag-flick, but the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

New Zealand play Belgium on Thursday morning (NZT) while Korea meet England.

- NZPA