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South Koreans stun Australians to earn 1-0 win in KL

South Korea sparked the first major upset of the field hockey Champions Trophy when they defeated world No. 1 Australia 1-0 on Friday.

Meanwhile, defending champions Netherlands beat hosts Malaysia 3-1 after surviving an early scare, as Pakistan beat Spain 2-0 to redeem their heavy loss to Germany a day earlier.

Germany defeated Britain 4-0, condemning the Brits to a second consecutive loss in the championship.

South Korea played a smart tactical game on Friday to outlast the Australians to score in the 54th minute. Off a penalty corner, Jang Jong-hyun's powerful flick sailed into the goal, giving Stephen Lambert no chance.

Meanwhile, the Dutch were stunned by Malaysia in the 18th minute with Mega Azrafiq feigning to pass right but instead sending the ball to the left where a lurking Shahrun Nabil crossed for an unmarked Kevinder Singh to score from close range.

The Netherlands had a tough time breaking down the Malaysian defense despite many overhead passes down the flanks in the early stages of the game, and squandered three penalty corners.

But they made the fourth one count in the 25th minute when one of the world's top penalty corner specialists, Taeke Taekema, saw his drive flash past the static Malaysian defense.

The Dutch made it 2-1 three minutes from the break when Rob Reckers deflected a quickly taken free hit into the goal.

The second half was just 20 seconds old when Ronald Brouwer scored from close range to make it 3-1, giving the Netherlands their second consecutive victory. They now have six points.

Malaysia have yet to earn a point. They lost their opening game 2-0 to Australia on Thursday.

In the earlier match on Friday, Shakeel Abbasa and Akhtar Ali scored for Pakistan against Spain. Pakistan now have three points from two matches. Yesterday was a rest day.

In battling the British, the Germans displayed their trademark patient build-up despite being held scoreless in the opening 30 minutes.

The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Sebastien Draguhn flicked a penalty corner past goalkeeper Ali McGregor.

Three minutes into the second half, Matthias Witthaus benefited from an error in midfield to score Germany's second. Carlos Nevado scored in the 58th off a penalty corner while Witthaus wrapped up the win with a field goal in the dying seconds.
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