Hockey: Child leaves it late for Black Sticks

Child scored with less than 40 seconds left in the game. Photo / Thinkstock

A last-minute goal to midfielder Marcus Child handed New Zealand a 2-1 win over Korea yesterday.

Child scored with less than 40 seconds left at Blake Park, Mt Maunganui, to complete a second-half fightback after the hosts trailed 0-1 at the interval.

His strike followed that of Blair Hilton midway through the half to ensure the Black Sticks took the lead in their five-match series 2-1 - with one game to play and one drawn.

Korea, after having the better of the opening exchanges, took the lead towards the end of the first half. Suk Hun Choo forced a save from home keeper Stephen Graham and from the ensuing penalty corner Hyun Woo Nam swept the ball home to give the visitors the lead at the break.

After the resumption New Zealand produced a better performance with Simon Child threatening on a number of occasions, but it was Hilton who levelled the scores, deflecting the ball in from a penalty corner, 15 minutes into the half.

The final match of the series is at the same venue tomorrow.

NZ: 2 (Blair Hilton, Marcus Child)
Korea: 1 (Hyun Woon Nam). Halftime: 0-1.

- NZPA