Australia beat Pak 2-1, Germany top after 2-1 victory over Korea

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 2 (UNI) Pakistan returned to their inconsistent self to go down 1-2 to Olympic champions Australia 1-2 in a round robin encounter of the Samsung Champions Trophy hockey tournament here today.

The South Asian powerhouse, who beat Spain 2-0 on Friday, failed to put up an inspired performance in a crucial match.

Nathan Eglington (20th) and Grant Schuber (47th) scored for Australia while Akhtar Ali pulled one back for Pakistan in the 55th minute.

Australia, the eight-time champions of the elite tournament, won three penalty corners while Pakistan, who have also won the championship thrice, got one.

In another match, last edition runners-up Germany rallied from behind to beat a gritty Korea 2-1.

With today's win, the third on the trot, Germany now top the table with nine points.

Holders Netherlands, who drew 3-3 today with Spain, were second with seven points with two wins and one draw.

Germany, who had never lost to Korea in their earlier Champions Trophy encounters, dominated the match throughout with the Koreans making some occasional counter attacks.

But, it was the Koreans, the 1-0 upset winners over Australia on Friday, who drew the first blood. When the match was barely five minutes old, Woon Kon Yeo got into the crowded German circle and blasted the ball into the German net.

Germany took another 10 minutes to settle down but gradually took control of the match. They could not, however, find the equaliser in the first half and wasted a penalty corner a minute before the changeover.

After resumption, Germany stepped on the gas and found the eqaliser in the 41st minute with Emmerling connecting a Furste free hit from inside the Korea half.

Germany took the lead in the 55th minute from the third penalty corner of the match -- second of the second half. Sebastian Draguhn flicked the ball to the bottom left corner of the goal and that turned out to be the decisive goal.

In other two matches, holders Netherlands drew with Spain 3-3 while Great Britain beat hosts Malaysia 3-2.

UNI