Black Sticks fight back to grab draw

Qualification for the Rio Olympics is one step closer for the Black Sticks men after a hard fought 3-3 draw with Korea at the Hockey World League semifinals in Argentina.

Following solid yet unconvincing wins over Egypt and Japan, and a gutsy draw with the highlyregarded Dutch, New Zealand fought back from 2-0 down against a fast-starting Korean outfit before taking the lead at the end of the third quarter in Buenos Aires on yesterday.

However, Korea applied plenty of pressure in the final stanza and were eventually able to get back on level terms with just three minutes remaining when drag-flicker Hyunwoo Nam converted from a penalty corner after a series of near misses.

Although unable to close out victory against a team just one spot below them in the world standings, the seventh-ranked Kiwis still finished pool A undefeated in second, ahead of the eighth-ranked Koreans and behind the Netherlands.

The Black Sticks face the thirdplaced team from pool B in the quarterfinals on Thursday (NZT Friday), which will be world No 15 Canada as long as Spain are not able to spring a huge upset and thump tournament host Argentina in the final group game.

New Zealand have to win that match and one of their last two to secure a top-three finish and a berth in Rio next year.

In the Korea match, the Kiwis had the first opportunity when they were awarded a penalty corner in the fourth minute.

Andy Hayward’s drag-flick was blocked though and a swift counter-attack from the Koreans finished with Daekeun Oh expertly deflecting the ball home.

Korea produced their second goal in the closing stages of the first quarter as Youngjin Kim received a superb cross-field overhead flick and powered his shot past Black Sticks keeper Devon Manchester.

New Zealand pulled one back in style at the start of the second period with Hugo Inglis producing lovely stick-work and a composed finish from close range following a deft reverse pass from Hayward on the edge of the circle.