NEWS
OTHER SPORTS
DIARY
PEOPLE
MATCH REPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Australia, S Korea set up final showdown

Australia and South Korea set up a final showdown in the Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament after playing out a 1-1 draw in the six-team league in Brisbane today.

With a point from today's draw, Australia moved to the top of the six-team league, aggregating 10 points from four matches, while South Korea moved into second place with eight points from four outings. Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament, with South Korea having suffered two draws. Spain and Holland have four points from as many outings and with just the last league round left to be played, there is no chance of any team overtaking the leaders.

The final will be played on Sunday.

In today's match, both teams adopted a cautious approach, with the defence holding sway. Australia were unable to capitalise on the advantage of Korea playing only with a 10-man team in the first-half.

The number of goal scoring opportunities increased for both teams in the second half, after Australia earned a penalty-stroke, in the 57th minute, which Michael Brennan successfully converted.

Within two minutes, Korea equalised, their captain Keon Wook Kang taking a successful shot at goal.

In the second match of the day, England outclassed Pakistan 2-0 to register their first victory of the tournament. For Pakistan, it was their first defeat after three draws.

England were in total control of the ball for the first 10 minutes of the game but could not break the Pakistan's defence.

Pakistan had their first attempt at goal in the 10th minute, but they failed to score on it. They lifted their game and took the ball close into the box on several occassions, but were never able to find the target.

The first goal of the match came in the 30th minute, when England's Jonathan Wyatt scored from a penalty-corner. In the 42nd minute, James Wallis increased the lead to put the issue beyond doubt for England.

In the 50th minute, Pakistan were reduced to ten men, when Sohail Abbass was given the yellow card.

In the third match, champions The Netherlands gained their first, long-awaited, victory the tournament, when they defeated Spain 1-0. Teun de Nooijer scored the match-winner in the tenth minute of the second half.

In the women's section, Australia confirmed their place in Saturday's final after a convincing 6-0 victory over Korea.

In the another match, Germany defeated New Zealand 4-1.

Two goals by Alyson Annan and goals to Claire Mitchell-Taverner, Shelley Andrews, Bianca Langham and Rechelle Hawkes saw the Australians secure the right to defend their title.

Coach, Ric Charlesworth declared that ''we were flattered by the scoreline'', as he believed the Hockeyroos had periods of brilliance but also periods or erratic play.