Black Sticks men to play six-match hockey Test series against South Korea

South Korean men’s hockey team would play a six Test hockey series against New Zealand next month. The six-match Test series will be played across several venues in New Zealand. The series is expected to be played in the second and third week of May – the exact dates are yet to be worked out.

The Shin Kyo Seok-coached South Korean outfit would be looking to build on their creditable bronze medal effort at the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament held in Ipoh, Malaysia last March.

The side led by experienced Lee Seung-il, edged out New Zealand by the odd goal in three in the bronze medal play-off match.

The Redshirts started their Azlan Shah campaign on a promising note, turning in a magnificent performance before going down 2-3 to Malaysia.

It was a match which had all the trappings of a thriller. The home side took the lead in the first half before South Korea levelled things midway through the second half.

The match took a dramatic turn when it seemed headed for a draw.

Malaysia had pulled ahead with two minutes remaining on the clock only to see their Asian counterparts restore parity within seconds.

Malaysia just had adequate time to notch up the match-clincher in the final minute of play.

The red brigade then went on to put it across India 2-1 with Kang Moon Kweon scoring once in each half.

South Korea’s resurgence was halted by New Zealand, who slammed three past them without reply.

The Asian powerhouse – ranked eighth in the world – showed plenty of pluck to hold eventual champions Australia to a 3-3 draw before being locked in a 2-2 draw with world number five Pakistan.

The six-match Test should give Colin Batch-coached New Zealand side an opportunity to obliterate the wounds of their bronze medal play-off defeat at the hands of South Korea in the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Batch, who previously coached the Belgium national side, fielded a young side in the Ipoh tournament. Only three of the 18-man squad were over 23.

The Black Sticks would be bolstered by the return of experienced players like Simon Child (179 internationals), Nick Wilson (124 internationals), Phil Burrows (292 internationals), Shea McAleese (173 internationals) and Brad Shaw,(150 internationals).

These players missed the Sultan Azlan Cup. They were either rested or unavailable because of club commitments in Europe.

The upcoming Test series will be Black Sticks men’s final preparation for the Hockey World League semifinals to be held in Rotterdam from June 13-22.