South Korean Junior Hockey Team overcomes New Zealand in Sultan of Johor Cup: 2-1
South Korea’s Junior Men’s Hockey Team displayed a fantastic show, emerging victorious over New Zealand by 2-1, in the last round match of the Sultan of Johor Cup, played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on November 11.
The Koreans could have earned a place in the title-claiming fixture if the match between Malaysia and India had ended in a draw.
However, the Malaysian team ruined their hopes, winning the match and securing a place in the finals against Australia.
Black Sticks’ Junior Hockey Coach, Grant Edwards, was not satisfied with the performance of his team. He observed that the Kiwi players did not avail the opportunities they earned during the seventy minutes of play.
He, at the same time, applauded the games of George Enersen, Nick Ross and Shay Neal, saying that they all delivered wonderful performances in their respective positions.
It was a must-win game for both, Korea and New Zealand, as the former team wanted to get a place in the finals while the latter wanted to avoid playing the fifth-sixth place playoff fixture.
The Kiwi team started playing aggressively from the very beginning minute of the match. However, it failed to uphold its routine to score the opening goal of the match.
With eight minutes into the first half of play, New Zealand received a short corner, but missed the chance.
The Kiwi players were playing the game with determination while the opponents, Koreans, seemed quiet and defensive.
Young Dong-Hyeon, a player from Korea, received the ball and took it to the top of the 25-yard D-line, slamming a powerful shot at the goal but to no avail, as his shot was blocked by the goalposts.
With five minutes left in the first half, Dong-Hyeon scored a goal from a close range, putting Korea ahead of New Zealand by 1-0.
In the 48th minute of mark, Kane Russell (New Zealand) converted a short corner, making a tie at one-all. But the even-score did not last for long.
Korean Dong Hyeon marked another goal in the 55th minute of play, regaining the lead for his team by 2-1.
Despite a fast-paced game, the duo failed to score any goals in the next 15 minutes of play and the game concluded with Korea coming out victorious by 2-1.
South Korea will take on India in the third-fourth place playoff match of the Sultan of Johor Cup on November 12.
It is vital to mention here that the Korean team recorded a 6-4 win over India in the league match of the tournament. Regardless of the results, it will be a competitive show between the two Asian giants.
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