Hockey: NZ men suffer narrow loss to Korea

ATHENS - New Zealand conceded a late goal to open their Olympic men's hockey preparations with a 2-3 loss to world No 4 Korea here today.

New Zealand put in a rusty performance in the first of three warm-up matches but were in the game throughout until a Korean counter attack saw the winning goal slotted with just five minutes left.

The teams were scoreless at halftime before New Zealand took the lead soon after the break when 1992 Barcelona Olympics veteran Umesh Parag fed David Kosoof, who scored from point blank range.

After two quick goals by the Koreans, one from a penalty corner, New Zealand levelled when Phillip Burrows made a big tackle and Parag pounced on the loose ball to round the goalkeeper.

The main concern for New Zealand was their failure to win any penalty corners to give strike weapon Hayden Shaw a chance from the top of the circle.

New Zealand came through the match injury-free but still have concerns over key man Ryan Archibald, who is racing to prove his fitness after suffering a broken leg in June.

Coach Kevin Towns today only rated him "a 20 per cent chance" to prove his fitness by Thursday's cutoff date.

New Zealand have two more warm-up matches, tomorrow against Pakistan and on Thursday against Germany.

Their Olympic opener is a tough one against Australia on Sunday night (NZ time).

Korea 3

New Zealand 2 (David Kosoof, Umesh Parag)

Halftime: 0-0

- NZPA