Sport - Hockey   

Australia and Korea split points

By S. Thyagarajan

Australia 1
Korea 1

KUALA LUMPUR, JAN. 10. In a match devoid of finesse, flair and aggression — three vital ingredients in contemporary hockey — Australia and South Korea shared points in the Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy here this evening.

The Aussies were uncharacteristically phlegmatic and ponderous while the Koreans failed to achieve harmony throughout the game at the near empty stadium at Bukit Jalil.

Much to the relief of the Aussies, Troy Elder got the lead from a penalty corner late in the second half but South Korea paid its rival back in the same coin with Lee Nam Yong hitting home a penalty corner.

It was pretty obvious that the Aussies were yet to get over the comprehensive defeat against the Spaniards. On the contrary, the Koreans showed signs of attacking thanks to the hard work of Yeo Woon Kon and Jong Ho, with the former being distinctly unlucky.

Off the first corner which the Koreans earned five minutes before the breather, Yew produced a flick which crashed against the post and came back into play. The team earned one more immediately. But this time, goalkeeper Stephen Mowlan brought off a brilliant save from Yew Koon Won to frustrate the Koreans. Midway into the second half, he effected another splendid save from a penalty corner hit by Seong Hawn.

The Aussie frontline lacked cohesion despite the efforts of the half-line where skipper Brent Livermore was prominent and Aaron Hopkins lent him good support. Although Woodhouse and Ben Taylor were active, the atttack was needlessly individualistic as Micheal Boyce did not fit well into the role.

However, there was a spring in the step of the Aussies after resumption with two penalty corners confirming this. But Korean goalkeeper Ko Dong Sik proved equal to the task, the save off a scorcher from Mathew Wells easily the best. Both teams have one point each after two games.

Sunday's matches: Germany v Korea (1-35 p.m.), India v Malaysia (3-35 p.m.), Pakistan v Spain (5-35 p.m.), all times IST.

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