A goal five seconds from the end by attacker Blair Hilton gave New Zealand a dramatic 3-3 draw in the opening international of their four-game series against South Korea at Auckland's Lloyd Elsmore Park tonight.
The eighth-ranked Black Sticks were worth a share of the points, but the Koreans, rankedone place lower, may wonder how they managed to squander a 3-0 lead early in the third quarter.
The Koreans, who failed to qualify for this year's Rio Olympics and are in rebuilding mode, were the better side through the first two quarters. Their control was superior, they counter attacked strongly, and were slick and quick in their movements.
However New Zealand were clearly stronger over the last two 15-minute periods. At one point they launched a string of shots on the Korean goal, only to be deprived by fine work from the Korean goalkeeper Doo Pyo Hong and desperate defenders.
Kane Russell punched a firm, low drive into the Korean goal from New Zealand's first penalty corner and it seemed to give the Black Sticks more self belief and confidence in their link play
Nick Wilson got the second, bundling the ball in from close range after combining well with captain Simon Child, who was celebrating his 250th international tonight.
Then came Hilton's late strike, set up by Nick Ross's drive into the circle.
''We showed really good fight in the second half and got the reward we deserved in the end," Child said.
''They looked after the ball really well (in the first half), had good structure and we were probably guilty of not taking our chances in the first half, but were more creative in the second."
The teams meet in game two at the same venue tomorrow night.
New Zealand are coming off a 2-1 series win over 13th-ranked Malaysia last week. This series continues their buildup to Rio.
