The Black Sticks men have secured Olympic hockey qualification with a 3-0 win over Korea in New Plymouth.
The New Zealand side only needed a draw to book their spot at the big dance, but came out firing and put Korea under early pressure.
Man of the Match Nic Woods ensured the New Zealand team had good go-forward and was integral in the Black Sticks' 3-0 win.
Despite significant pressure in the first quarter, the New Zealand men couldn’t crack a resolute Korean defence and went into the first break tied at 0-0.
Almost immediately in the second quarter, the Black Sticks went on the ascendancy
and were rewarded, when Stephen Jenness deflected home another great cross for his third goal of the series and put his team into a commanding position, with a two-goal aggregate lead.
New Zealand continued to play with confidence throughout the quarter and, in the 23rd minute, Sam Lane finished off some slick passing to touch in the Kiwis second goal.
Korea went into half-time trailing 2-0 and needing three goals in the second half to force the match to a penalty shootout. Looking desperate early in the third quarter, they forced NZ goalkeeper Leon Hayward into some spectacular saves to keep the lead intact.
Then, the Kiwis went on attack, breaking down the other end of the field and securing a penalty corner.
Experienced drag-flicker Kane Russell was then called on and flicked a ripping shot to the top netting of the goal, putting the Black Sticks ahead 3-0 and providing an unassailable lead.
With only minutes to go in the match and needing four goals to get back into the series, the Korean side pulled their goalkeeper and immediately were rewarded with a series of penalty corners.
Despite a huge weight of possession in favour of the Koreans throughout the last quarter of the match, the Black Sticks were able to hold their nerve and book their place at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Newshub.
