Kiwis ground Korea

M.S. Unnikrishnan

New Delhi, March 5
New Zealand withstood a fierce fight back by Korea to post a 2-1 victory in their third match of Group A in the 12th Hero Honda FIH World Cup Hockey Championship at the National Stadium here today. New Zealand scored both the goals in the first half but fell into a defensive mode on resumption to allow Korea the upper hand in attacks which earned them six penalty corners – seven overall – but could convert none.

But they were awarded a stroke following the seventh penalty corner which was converted by Yong Nam Lee with a strike past the left of the goal-keeper to reduce the margin. New Zealand used their height, strong physique and speed to dominate the play in the first session and scored the first goal off their first penalty corner in the fourth minute through Andrew Hayward whose powerful strike brooked no denial.

They struck the second goal in the 22nd minute off a penalty stroke. Dean Couzins took a clean hit to put the ball past the Korean custodian. New Zealand’s chances to score were few and far between but that did not prevent them from scoring when it counted unlike the Koreans who were worth a few goals if the chances they got were any indication of their dominance.

But the Kiwi defence held out manfully, dispossessing the Koreans before they could get close to hit the target. This was Korea’s first defeat in three matches which blotted their copy book and spoilt their chances of a semifinal berth. New Zealand registered their second win in three matches though the pool is dominated by defending champions Germany and The Netherlands.

Though Germany were held to a 2-2 draw by Korea, they came back to swamp Canada 6-0 while the Dutch have beaten Argentina and New Zealand to lead the group. Korea, who edged past Argentina after holding Germany, were on four points, but today’s defeat has put paid to their hopes of a semi-final berth. Against Argentina too, Korea had struggled to keep themself afloat and only a last-minute goal helped them sail through.

This was the second meeting betweeen New Zealand and Korea in the World Cup, and the former have once again prevailed over the Asian champions. New Zealand had beaten Korea 3-1 when they met for the first in a World Cup match in 1998. The Kiwis had tamed Korea by a similar margin in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as well. In fact, Korea have beaten New Zealand just once in seven meetings – at the 2005 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup by 6-4.