Hockey: NZ hockey wilt in heat with costly mistakes

New Zealand coach Robin Wilson raised a familiar lament after his side lost 1-4 to South Korea in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup international men's hockey tournament in Malaysia yesterday.

New Zealand paid dearly for a high error rate by conceding three goals in the closing 17 minutes after working overtime to fully extend the world's No 2-ranked team.

Rated the 10th-best team in the world, New Zealand excelled to lead 1-0 at halftime in oppressive heat in Kuala Lumpur but wilted in the closing quarter against a South Korea side who also found the conditions extremely tough.

"They got their last two goals when we started to really struggle in the 35 degree heat and high humidity," Wilson said.

"For three-quarters of the game we were more than competitive and overall I was reasonably happy even if the scoreline had a deceptive look about it."

However, New Zealand had to reduce their error rate when under pressure.

New Zealand enjoyed an ideal start when inside right Ryan Archibald scored in just the fourth minute following the only penalty corner they forced in the first half.

He stepped in to find the net after the South Korean goalkeeper had initially deflected a shot from Craig Russ.

They retained their advantage until an identical stage in the second spell when the Koreans got on the scoresheet following a penalty corner.

South Korea edged ahead for the first time 14 minutes later when they benefited from a deflection off the stick of a New Zealand defender, which saw the ball end up in the back of the goal.

Wilson said the team began to struggle from that point on.

New Zealand's second match was against Canada early today.

Canada, ranked eighth in the world, lost 1-3 yesterday to Malaysia.

- NZPA