Hockey: Black Sticks draw with Korea

File photo / AP

New Zealand and Korea drew their opening hockey international 1-1 at Rangitoto College today.

The hosts took the lead through striker Hugo Inglis after 16 minutes.

However the Koreans equalized through Nam Yong Lee just before halftime.

World No 6 New Zealand squandered a glorious chance just before the end when striker Isaac Staples swung and missed when unmarked 5m from the Korean goal.

However Korea, ranked two places behind New Zealand, had the advantage for lengthy periods, and had five penalty corners to two for New Zealand.

The second international in the six-game series is at Rangitoto on Thursday afternoon.