Hockey: Koreans give Black Sticks a lesson at cup

PERTH - New Zealand's disappointing showing continued as they went down to a dismal 3-0 defeat to Korea at the women's World Cup in Perth early today.

The tournament fifth seeds got off to the worst possible start, conceding a goal in the third minute, a deflection from a penalty corner falling to Eun Young Lee to score from virtually on the goal-line.

The Koreans, defending an unbeaten tournament record and harbouring hopes of a semifinal place, strengthened that bid with their second goal, a blistering shot from Yun Mi Kim that gave New Zealand goalkeeper and captain Helen Clarke no chance.

The second half also started calamitously, with Jin A Nam left unattended in the circle to score Korea's third just a minute after the interval.

The Kiwis' best chances were created by forward Jaimee Provan, who saw one shot hit a post and forced good saves from Korean stopper Ju Young Lim.

The loss left New Zealand with just one win from four games, and struggling to be among the top 10 teams in the tournament.

- NZPA