New Zealand opens London Cup with a win against Korea by 2-0
Nick Wilson and Simon Child scored two goals and each had an assist, as the men’s hockey team of New Zealand opened the London Cup with a fine win over Korea by 2-0 that took place on July 12, 2011 at the University of Westminster Sports Grounds, London.
Shane McLeod, the trainer of the New Zealand men’s hockey team, in a pleasing state-of-mind said that they had established a strapping start in the tournament. He stated, “We have built a good platform for the tournament now with a solid performance. We just needed to be a bit more clinical in the circle and we would have sealed the game earlier. But it was a positive outcome and very encouraging.”
Major part of the game from the Black Sticks was played by the defenders, particularly Blair Hopping, Dean Couzins and Matthew L’Huillier. Apart from these defensemen, Kyle Pontifex, the Black Sticks' goalie, was also at his best who denied plenty of efforts to keep their advantage with them.
In order to built pressure on Korean team, the players from New Zealand commenced the match at a fast pace. As a result of their fast and furious style of play, they received a short-corner in the very first minute, but to no avail. A Korean defender blocked the hit played from Andy Hayward and cleared the ball from the circle. It seemed that only the Black Sticks' strikers were playing the game.
Dean Couzins and his team-mate, Matt L’Huillier, missed a couple of chances, which they earned in the 18th minute of the match. In the counter-attack, Korean took the ball inside the 25-yard line and created first penalty-corner in the 28th minute. However, the Kiwi custodian was brave enough to stop the ball and denied the effort.
After a brilliant passing work, Simon Child received a pass from Phil Burrows and tapped it in the Korean goal in the last minute of the first half.
The Black Sticks Men were strong enough to dominate the second half action and did not allow the opponent side for making a return into the game. Though the Koreans carried out plenty of counter-attacks, they failed to break the defence line of New Zealand in the given time.
After missing some gifted chances, the New Zealanders doubled the tally in the 55th minute of the game. Nick Wilson sent a rebound shot into the empty goal-post and put his squad ahead. The splendid team performance from the Black Sticks held the Koreans at bay and rode away the field with a 2-0 win.
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