Hockey: Koreans do Black Sticks a big favour

Hoon Suk Cho of Korea (C) takes the ball upfield during the match between Korea and Germany on day three of the 2011 Men's Champions Trophy at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

South Korea have done New Zealand a huge favour in the Owen G Glenn Champions Trophy hockey tournament when drawing with Germany 3-3 today.

The Koreans were down 2-0 at halftime thanks to Florian Fuchs and Jan-Marco Montag but fought back to lead 3-2 before Germany equalised in the final minutes.

With Germany desperate for a winner to smooth their passage to the play-offs, they had a shot saved by goalkeeper Myong Ho Lee right on the final hooter.

The draw means New Zealand only need to draw their match with the Netherlands this afternoon in order to progress alongside the Dutch.

New Zealand's 6-1 thrashing of the Koreans yesterday has given them a much better goal difference than the Germans.

Germany looked tense in the opening minutes but quickly took control with two goals in three minutes near the end of the half.

Korea responded after 48 minutes when Hyo Sik You scored with a back-stick shot from long range and they equalised thanks to Young Jin Kim after a breakout and fine assist by Suk Hoon Cho.

With the North Harbour Hockey Stadium crowd cheering them on in greater intensity and Germany missing Oscar Deecke to the sinbin for a blatant body check, Jong Ho Seo scored a brilliant individual goal after a mazy run.

Unfortunately for the Koreans, Germany equalised through Tobias Matania and although they had a penalty corner saved with a minute left, they could have lost the match in the final seconds but for Ho Lee.

South Korea 3 (Hyo Sik You, Young Jin Kim, Jong Ho Seo) drew with Germany 3 (Florian Fuchs, Jan-Marco Montag, Tobias Matania). HT: Ger 2-0.