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Koreans on Song again

South Korean striker Song Seung-Tae was the hero for the second successive day. A day after scoring three goals in his team's opening-match victory over England, he notched the winner as the Asian giants shocked The Netherlands, the current World and Olympic champions, 3-2, on the second day of the 21st FIH Champions Trophy men's field hockey tournament in Brisbane today.

The win put South Korea in first place, with six points after two matches.

The match started on a very fast pace and was evenly poised till the Koreans scored first in the10th minute through Keon Wook Kang. The Netherlands soon equalled in the 22nd minute, with Bram Lomans taking a successful shot a goal.

The Netherlands scored again five minutes later through Teun de Nooyer and looked like crossing over 2-1 up, but Jong Hyun Hwang replied for the Koreans to ensure that neither team began the second half with any advantage.

In the second half, both teams played with caution, though it was the Koreans who had more shots at goal. They were rewarded for their offensive play in the 56th minute, when Seung Tae Song' slotted home what turned out to be the match-winner.

The match was marred by controversy. With around nine minutes of play remaining, a Korean player was shown the yellow-card. The decision upset the Koreans and the entire team marched to the sideline in font of the team box, where they remained for a few minutes only to return and continue play.

South Korea had two penalty-corners and eight shots at goal, while The Netherlands had three each.

In women's play today, Argentina beat Germany 2-1.

Argentina, playing fast hockey, led 2-0 at half-time, and scored through Karina Massota, in the 17th minute, and Marie de la Paz Herndandez, in the 35th minute.

Marion Rodewald scored the only goal of the second half in the 57th minute to enable the Germans reduce the margin.

The Argentine win would have been greater if they had been able to finish more moves in the circle. This is a feature of their game, which they will have to work on before their next match with tounament favourites Australia on Sunday.

Argentina, who lost 0-3 to The Netherlands yesterday, had two penalty-corners and five shots at goal, while Germany had six penalty-corners and 11 shots at the goal.

In another women's match, The Netherlands staved off a strong challenge from South Korea to win 3-2.

Dillianne van den Boogard scored in the eighth minute before Ageeth Boomgaardt converted a 'stroke' in the 22nd minute to put the Dutch high in the saddle.

Korea's relentless attacking and speed saw Hyun Jung Woo reduce the margin in the 44th minute and trigger off a fightback. But Dillanne van den Boogard scored again for The Netherlands in the 55th minute and made the things still difficult for the Koreans.

And though they tried hard to atleast salvage a point, a solitary goal from their captain Eun Young Lee, in the 68th minute, was all they could manage.