1st Hockey Test: South Korean men beat Australia 4-1 in penalty shootout

The South Korean men’s hockey team got the better of hosts Australia 4-1 in a penalty shootout in the first of the four match hockey Test series at the Perth National Stadium in Perth.

The penalty shootout had to be resorted to after both teams were locked goalless in regulation 70 minutes of play.

The match witnessed fast-paced action with the Kookaburras having the first sight at the South Korean citadel. Jacob Whetton essayed a close range sweep from an acute angle, which was blocked by the Korean goalkeeper Lee Myung Ho.

Lee was again in the rescue act a few minutes later when he foiled an effort from Aran Zalewski.

The Australian head Coach Ric Charlesworth handed senior international debuts to Matthew Willis and Andrew Philpott .

South Korea had a stare at the Australian goalmouth when Hwang Tea Il took a shot which saw goalkeeper Tristan Clemons effect a fine save.

The Kookaburras won their first penalty corner in the 24st minute but five-time FIH World Player of the Year, Jamie Dwyer, took a crack at the Korean goal but was well thwarted by the Korean shot stopper, who also came up with an acrobatic save from the follow-on attempt.

The home side earned their second short corner in the 29^th minute but the opportunity went begging as the ball was mistrapped much to the relief of the Koreans.

Both teams took the half-time break with a 0-0 scoreline.

The green-and-gold brigade started the second half on a bright note forcing a penalty corner but they failed to profit from it as the Koreans defended stoutly.

The hosts were awarded their fourth penalty corner in the 54^th minute but the Koreans stood like a rock nullifying their goal-scoring designs.

The match ended goalless with the penalty shootout being resorted to.

The Koreans converted all their four shots but the Australians could only score once out of the five attempts. Aran Zalewski scored while Rob Hammond, Matthew Ghodes and Jamie Dwyer and Russell Ford failed to score.

It may be worth recalling that the Perth Hockey Stadium had recently hosted the four-match Test series between the South Korea and Australian women.

The series ended with both team sharing the honours winning two matches apiece.

The Hockeyroos won the opening Test 4-2 before the South Koreans won the second Test 2-1.

Australia clinched the third Test 6-0 before South Korea won the final Test 3-1.