New Zealand saved their best for last with a quality 2-0 win over Korea in Christchurch yesterday, although it was not enough to salvage a lost series.
The Black Sticks lost the first test 0-1 and the second 2-3 on Saturday but raised their standards at Porritt Park
to topple the world's fifth-ranked team.
The scoreline reflected New Zealand's dominance, with several other chances going begging while the visitors struggled to penetrate a defence well marshalled by Hayden Shaw and Casey Henwood.
As he did in the second test, striker David Kosoof flicked home the first goal of the match after some slick inter-passing with Simon Child in the 17th minute. The second goal was worth the wait with three minutes remaining when Child slammed a reverse stick shot high into the Korean goal from the edge of the circle.
Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod was delighted at the rate of improvement from his team in the space of four days.
"We were far more dominant, it possibly could have been more," said McLeod. "To have a victory against Korea so early in our programme was great." McLeod said his team had struggled with just one day's preparation for the series and that had been a factor in the two losses.
Central midfielder Nick Wilson made his international debut off the bench, the 17-year-old producing a mature performance that pleased McLeod.
The Black Sticks have a short break before their three-test series against Australia in Sydney from November 21-25.
- NZPA
