Hockey: Black Sticks on top after video lesson

Shane McLeod. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod was not a happy camper after his team somehow managed a 4-2 win over Korea in the first of five tests against sixth-ranked Korea at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Saturday.

Back at the same venue for yesterday's second test, this time with a 3-2 winning margin, McLeod was much happier and can now look to wrap the series on Thursday.

"We were far more controlled and we dominated in key areas of the game today," said McLeod after yesterday's win. "We held the ball for longer periods and were more effective when we had the ball.

"For the team to improve that much overnight was commendable."

Having a look at the match video and analysing what needed to be done brought the result McLeod and the players in the 27-strong squad wanted.

"The players had a much better grasp of exactly what they needed to do."

The Black Sticks, ranked one place lower than their opponents at seventh, played with greater intensity to put the visitors under early pressure.

The Black Sticks were reduced to 10 when Steve Edwards and then Nick Haig were green carded but they continued to maintain the pressure.

The Black Sticks' first penalty corner came in the 32nd minute, with Kane Russell flicking the ball high into the goal for his second penalty corner of the series. That halftime lead was stretched two minutes into the second half when, in a goalmouth scramble, Simon Child passed to Hugo Inglis who tapped in.

In the 52nd minute, the Black Sticks skilfully moved the ball down the field, passing from defence through to the attack and finally Inglis crossed to Child who also scored his second goal of the series for a 3-0 lead.

Hyo Sik You scored a field goal from close range to close the gap. Nam Yong Lee scored for Korea eight minutes later.

Goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex, celebrating his 32nd birthday, had an outstanding game keeping the Koreans out until the 60th minute. Child, Shea McAleese and Russell were other standouts.