12 August 2004	Thursday	25 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ATHENS, Aug 11: New Zealand conceded a late goal to open their Olympic men's hockey preparations with a 2-3 loss to world No. 4 South Korea.

New Zealand put in a rusty performance in first of three warm-up matches but were in the game throughout until a Korean counter attack saw winning goal slotted with just five minutes left.

The teams were scoreless at halftime before New Zealand took lead soon after break when 1992 Barcelona Olympics veteran Umesh Parag fed David Kosoof, who scored from point blank range.

After two quick goals by Koreans, one from a penalty corner, New Zealand levelled when Phillip Burrows made a big tackle and Parag pounced on loose ball to round the goalkeeper.

The main concern for New Zealand was their failure to win any penalty corners to give strike weapon Hayden Shaw a chance from top of the circle. New Zealand came through the match injury-free but still have concerns over key man Ryan Archibald, who is racing to prove his fitness after suffering a broken leg in June.

Coach Kevin Towns today only rated him "a 20 per cent chance" to prove his fitness by Thursday's cutoff date. New Zealand have two more warm-up matches, later Wednesday against Pakistan and on Thursday against Germany.

Their Olympic opener is a tough one against Australia on Sunday. Great Britain win Great Britain's men's hockey team beat Argentina 3-1 in an Olympic warm-up match. Two goals from Niall Stott and a strike from Danny Hall secured the win over the Pan American champions.

Great Britain open their Olympic campaign against Egypt but will also meet Spain, Korea, Germany and Pakistan in a tough Pool A. Coach Jason Lee said: "We've got the harder group but it gives us the opportunity to do well because each team can take points off each other." -PPI