Hockey: Black Sticks fall to Korea

Korea showed their skill and explosive speed in today's game at the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam beating the Black Sticks 5-3 with Jong Hee Kim scoring a hat-trick.

In what was Anna Thorpe's 50th international test, the Black Sticks goals came from Katie Glynn, Charlotte Harrison and Cathryn Finlayson today, but it was not enough to get them the three points they were after before they take on world champions Argentina on Saturday.

"We are frustrated to have lost that game. We started slow, fought back really well but we conceded too many goals and you can't do that at this stage of a tournament. Our defensive structure was poor, especially in our defensive circle," says Black Sticks women's coach Mark Hager.

Both teams were on the attack from the opening moments but Korea were deservedly first on the board with Jong Hee Kim scoring her first field goal in the seventh minute and then shortly after Yoojin Hong found the back of the goal and Korea's lead stretched to 2-0.

With only 13 minutes of the game played and two goals conceded, the Korean's were splitting the Black Sticks defence and looking threatening on attack.

Regardless of this, the Black Sticks grew in confidence when they scored two goals in a minute. The first was from Katie Glynn getting the vital touch on a cross into the circle to beat the Korean goalkeeper. The second came from Charlotte Harrison who flew into the circle and slammed it to the back of the net.

The half time score was 2-2 but although there were some good moments of play from the Black Sticks, the Koreans were in control of the game.

In the 42nd minute Korea scored again, but a minute later Anita Punt struck the ball from a penalty corner rebound and Cathryn Finlayson deflected it in with the score all tied up with 27 minutes remaining.

Both teams held their own until the 55th minute when Jong Hee Kim scored her second goal of the game forcing in a shot from a tight angle that went through goal keeper's Bianca Russell's legs. The score was 4-3.

Despite the Black Sticks attacking hard with 15 minutes remaining, they could not score and all hope was lost when Kim scored her third field goal of the game in the 67th minute.

The good news of the day for the Black Sticks came when the International Hockey Federation announced the 2012 Champions Trophy qualification criteria. The top five from the 2011 Champions Trophy automatically qualify meaning that New Zealand has gained a spot in next year's tournament. The host, Argentina, earns a place as do the winners of the Champions Challenge. One or two places will be nominated by the FIH Executive Board with the decision being based on; commercial advantage to the sport, world rankings and development of the game.

The Black Sticks play their next game against Argentina at 8pm Saturday 30 June (NZ time).

- HERALD ONLINE