NZ vs Korea- www.photosport.co.nzAn entertaining 70 minutes of hockey between the Black Sticks Men and Korea has ended with a 1-1 draw in the second test at Rangitoto College today. After being rested in the first test, drag flick expert Andy Hayward made an immediate impact for the Black Sticks after sending a 13^th minute penalty corner low and inside the left post to give New Zealand the early advantage.

EHCCC 2013

It has been confirmed today that the Euro Hockey League You Tube Channel 
(www.youtube.com/eurohockeyleague) will be bringing full, uninterrupted coverage of the game, with Dutch duo Laren and Den Bosch going head-to-head in the hope of being crowned Champions of Europe. The match take places at 12.45 (CET) on Sunday 19th May 2013, which is the second day of action at EHL Final Four Bloemendaal. 

Hugo InglisThe Black Sticks have opened their six-test series against Korea with a tight 1-1 draw at Rangitoto College today. Both sides scored one goal each in the first half but were unable to deliver the killer blow in a goalless yet entertaining second half. Hugo Inglis scored New Zealand’s only goal in the 16^th minute before Nam Yong Lee drew Korea level just before the halftime whistle. Neither side was able to add to the ledger in an increasingly defensive second half.

Charlie PereiraCharlie Pereira has been named as the head coach of the South Africa men’s hockey team, the South Africa Hockey Association said Monday. The former SA player was the interim head coach who piloted the national team to qualification for the World League semi-finals, which takes place in Malaysia from June 29 to July 7. He succeeds Gregg Clark.

Pereira’s national team qualified for Malaysia when they finished as runners-up to South American powerhouse Argentina at the World League Round 2 event in Brazil in March.

FIH World LeagueThe Hockey World League Round 2, superbly organized by the French Federation and the local club in Saint-Germain, concluded with the undisputed victory of Belgium, unbeaten in 5 matches. The local crowd was treated to a superb fight for 2nd position between France and Canada, ending in the narrow win for the host (3-2). Scotland finished fourth, followed by Poland and Portugal.

Final Standings:
1) Belgium
2) France
3) Canada
4) Scotland
5) Poland
6) Portugal

FIH World LeagueWith their decisive win over Canada (5-2), Belgium have a clear lead at the top of the standings and, pending an improbable miracle, are qualified for the next round of the Hockey World League. France struggled to take the better of Scotland, but their narrow win (2-1) is enough to set-up a torrid last match against Canada, with the winner grabbing 2nd position in the competition and a possible qualification for the next round.

Poland earned their first win of the week against Portugal (9-1) but still need to face Belgium on Sunday and could very well finish behind lower ranked Scotland in the standings.

FIH World LeagueCanada struggled to beat Portugal (1-4) but maintained their unblemished record of 3 wins ahead of their decisive encounters against Belgium and Canada. Scotland won a dramatic shoot-out against Poland, after the two teams ended regulation time tied 3-3. Belgium narrowly got the better over France (2-3) in a hotly contested match, the first direct match between the top contenders for the final qualification.  

Hockey AustraliaAUSTRALIA (MEN) v KOREA SERIES

KOOKABURRAS                4 (0)
Trent Mitton 55 (PC)
Russell Ford 56 (PC)
Kieran Govers 63 (PC)
Rob Hammond 65 (PC)
KOREA                                  1 (0)
Nam Hyun Woo 70 (PC)

A dominant Kookaburras performance was rewarded with four quickfire goals in ten second half minutes as Australia’s men emerged as 4-1 victors over Korea in the fourth and final test in Perth. The result also sealed a series win for the Kookaburras who won twice and drew twice.