Hockey: Sticks burst alight against Koreans

New Zealand's Simon Child takes on South Korean defence. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand 6
South Korea 1

A confidence-boosting 6-1 win over South Korea has kept New Zealand hopes alive ahead of today's must-win hockey clash with the Netherlands.

Almost certainly the largest winning margin ever over a team higher in the rankings (New Zealand are seventh and South Korea sixth), gave the Black Sticks the fillip they were looking for after their frustrating 2-1 loss to Germany on the opening day of the FIH Owen G Glenn Champions Trophy tournament at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium.

In the same tournament a year ago, New Zealand scored their only win in Monchengladbach in beating the Dutch 3-1. They will use that result as a morale-booster heading into the last of today's pool matches.

A win would guarantee their place in the top four. Any other result, and in taking the outcome of the earlier game between Germany and South Korea into account, would throw the pool wide open.

Black Sticks captain Dean Couzins was encouraged by recent results against the Dutch.

"Of the top three teams in the world - Australia, Germany and the Netherlands - we have our best record against the Dutch," said Couzins. "I don't think there is any lack of belief among the guys that they can do what needs to be done."

Coach Shane McLeod, too, is not downplaying New Zealand's chances.

"We beat them last year. I think they underestimated us," said McLeod. "There is a feeling that the mystique which at one time might have been with the Dutch has died away since we have had players playing club hockey in the Netherlands."

Against the Koreans, the Black Sticks dominated at times in the first half but undid much of their good work by needlessly turning the ball over and rushing their play.

It was not until the 27th minute they were rewarded with Shea McAleese's opening goal.

Within five minutes Phil Burrows turned the ball over on the edge of the New Zealand circle, the Koreans raced away and Suk Hoon Cho pushed home from close range for 1-1.

With just 1m 15s to play Burrows turned from villain to hero with the final touch for 2-1 after the South Korean defence had been split.

A third goal just 29s after the break stretched that lead to 3-1 and seemingly drained any remaining fight from South Korea.

Good work on attack and defence - they snuffed out five South Korean penalty corners - and scored from one of the only three they earned, completed a good day's work.

"We were too slow and conservative in the first half," said McLeod. "When the adrenaline kicked in in the second half it was much better. It was a huge step up and in the end I was very happy with the result."

McLeod and his players are fully aware today's game presents a vastly different challenge.

"The Dutch play a very different style. They are very structured and play to a set pattern which has come from having so many experienced players," said McLeod.

In pool A Australia booked their top four spot with a 4-1 win over Great Britain in yesterday's opener. They will be joined in the top four by the winner of today's early game between the British and Spain.

A draw would put Spain through on goal difference.

In the other pool B game yesterday the Netherlands came back from 2-1 down at halftime to beat Germany 3-2.

Today's action

* Spain v Great Britain (pool A) 12.05pm
* Korea v Germany (pool B) 2.05pm
* Australia v Pakistan (pool A) 4.05pm
* New Zealand v Netherlands (pool B) 6.05pm.