Hockey: NZ en route to series clean sweep

Ella Gunson of New Zealand is put under pressure from Young Mi Eum of Korea (L). Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand overwhelmed South Korea 5-1 in an international women's hockey match at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland today.

Already ahead 3-0 in the five-test series, the New Zealanders ran riot against the tiring Koreans, who looked increasingly bereft of ideas and energy as the match progressed.

The Black Sticks went into the halftime break with a 3-0 lead, but it could have been more as the Koreans struggled with New Zealand's speed up front.

Scoring was shared evenly among the New Zealanders, as coach Mark Hager made full use of his bench. Captain Kayla Sharland secured the first when her follow-up to Clarissa Eshuis' penalty corner slammed home after 15 minutes, Gemma Flynn added the second 10 minutes later while Cathryn Finlayson made it 3-0 just 30 seconds before the halftime whistle.

Korea could find no answer to New Zealand's speed through the midfield, as the Black Sticks made the most of space they were allowed to launch a seemingly endless series of attacks on the beleaguered Korean goal.

Katie Glynn snared the New Zealanders' fourth 12 minutes into the second half, and Charlotte Harrison picked up the fifth with 15 minutes remaining.

However the visitors regained some shape in the closing stages of the spell, Seul Ki Cheon opening the Korean account when she converted a penalty corner with 10 minutes to go.

The goal revitalised Korea, and the Black Sticks defence was forced to put in some hard work until the final whistle.

New Zealand's dominance showed in their shots on goal - they converted five of their 18, while Korea managed just one from seven.

The series concludes with the final game at the same venue tomorrow.

New Zealand 5 (Kayla Sharland, Gemma Flynn, Cathryn Finlayson, Katie Glynn, Charlotte Harrison) South Korea 1 (Seul Ki Cheon). Halftime: 3-0.

- NZPA