18 Mar 2016

Black Sticks crush Korea

5:45 am on 18 March 2016

The New Zealand men's hockey team has scored a crushing 7-1 win over South Korea in the second test in Auckland to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

Black Sticks captain Simon Child celebrates scoring a goal 2015.

Simon Child celebrates scoring a goal for the Black Sticks. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Black Sticks were dominant from the opening whistle and after leading 3-0 at halftime, poured on another four goals in the final 10 minutes of the match.

Captain Simon Child and Stephen Jenness both scored doubles while Nic Woods, Nick Wilson and Kane Russell also filled out the score sheet.

It was the biggest win on record for the Black Sticks against Korea, with the previous benchmark set at the 2011 Champions Trophy in Auckland where the New Zealanders came away 6-1 winners.

Head coach Colin Batch said it was an impressive performance from his side.

"We pressed very well today and had better structure with our outletting which really set us up for the rest of the game," Batch said.

"Korea never gave up and went looking for goals in the second half which left them exposed in defence and we were able to capitalise on that.

"I think this sort of result has been building for a while. It's not the perfect game but we finished our chances much better and our counter attacks paid off."

From the opening whistle the momentum was with the Black Sticks, who had clearly lifted the intensity following a slow start in game one.

New Zealand lit up the scoreboard inside the first 10 minutes after Nic Woods heaved a trademark drag flick into the back of goal from a penalty corner.

Early in the second quarter the hosts were in again when a nice cross from James Coughlan saw Stephen Jenness in the right spot to knock home a goal.

The Black Sticks ensured full advantage two minutes out from halftime when Simon Child ran the ball into the circle and pulled off a magical pivot shot between defenders and the goalkeeper.

With the second half looking set to remain goalless, the Black Sticks caught fire and scored four goals in the final 10 minutes.

Jenness brought up his brace in the 50th minute after picking up the ball from the goalkeeper's feet and hitting on his reverse into the top of the net.

Korea pegged one back in the 54th minute thanks to a penalty corner flick from Jihun Yang, but the Black Sticks replied straight away with a brilliant team goal - Nick Wilson getting the final touch with a shot through his legs.

Child scored his second with an athletic diving shot at goal before Kane Russell sealed the result with a powerful penalty corner drag flick in the final seconds.

The two sides meet in a double header over the weekend.

The first Test finished 3-all.