South Korea eves humble Australia 3-1 to level four-match series 2-2

South Korean eves showed resilience when it mattered, humbling hosts Australia 3-1 in the fourth and final hockey Test to level the series 2-2 at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Perth on Sunday.

The Koreans, who were handed a 0-6 thrashing by the Hockeyroos in the third Test on Saturday, rebounded splendidly to score twice in the first half through their inspirational captain Park Mi Hyun before adding another early in the second half to cap the series on a positive note.

Australia earlier won the first Test 4-2, while the South Koreans won the second Test 2-1. All the four Test matches were played at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Perth.

Australia started proceedings on a bullish note, creating a penalty corner opportunity in the 7th minute but Karri MacMohan’s flick was blocked by the Korean shot stopper.

The Redshirts earned their first short corner in the 13th minute, which resulted into a follow-on PC – Park Mi Hyun converted it unleashing a low shot beating the Aussie goalie Toni Cronk all ends up.

Park Mi Hyun doubled the lead in the 20th minute before Australia reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute through Karri MacMohan, who scored her maiden senior international goal.

South Korea led 2-1 at the break.

Cheon Seul Ki gave the Koreans more joy in the second stanza when she fired a PC in the 39th minute.

Trailing 1-3, the Hockyroos went for the jugular and forced a few PC chances but the Koreans defended resolutely to win 3-1.

The 2-2 draw in the four-match Test series marks a pretty good end to the preparations of the South Koreans for the Hockey World League semifinals later this year.

It may be worth recalling that South Korea had a mixed bag in the two-leg Four Nations hockey tournaments held across several venues – Whangarei, Hamilton and Tauranga in New Zealand, which also featured hosts New Zealand, world champions Argentina and the United States.

The Redshirts stormed into the final showdown in Whangarei after upstaging world champions Argentina 4-3 in the league phase.

The Asian powerhouse earlier stunned hosts New Zealand 4-3 in the tournament opener before they were surprisingly handed a 1-2 defeat by the United States.

South Korea, however, cut a disappointing day in office, in the title tilt against New Zealand with the Black Sticks emerging clinical 3-0 winners.

However, the South Korea put up a below-par showing in the second leg held in Hamilton and Tauranga. They did start well, spanking the United States 4-1 before their challenge fizzled out.

The Redshirts lost to Argentina 2-4 before being humiliated by New Zealand 1-5. The Asian giants lost to the USA 1-0 in the bronze medal play-off tie to settle for the last spot among four nations.

New Zealand had won the first leg, while Argentina won the second leg.