Australia overpowers spirited Korea 4-2 to make it to final

Monchengladbach, Sep 15 (UNI) Olympic champion Australia survived several anxious scares and moments before overpowering spirited Korea 4-2 to storm into the finals of the Hockey World Cup here this evening, For Australia, this is the second successive entry into the finals of the World cup and for the Asian Games Gold Medallist, they failed to cross the semi final hurdle for the second time in a row.

The semi final saw clash of two different brands of hockey.

Koreans adopted hit and run tactics while the Aussies played a controlled and percentage game.

Korea led 1-0 at the breather.

Bevan George(38th), Travis Brooks (50th), Jamie Dwyer (60th) and Micheal McCann(70th) scored a goal each for the winners. Jong Hyun Jang (31st) and Seong Jung Kang (42nd) got the goals for the losers.

Koreans started aggressively making some incisive moves and they defended their citadel against the rival's counter attacks. It turned to be an absorbing tussle with the Aussies surprising every body with their non too fast approach.

All the four Australian goals were classic in their style of execution as there was no power involved in them. The two goals coming off the penalty corners were just a gentle taps which left the Korean non-plused and other two bewildered them.

The Koreans did all the running while Aussies made more counter attacks but could not get past the tough and sturdy rival defenders.

The Koreans forced three penalty corners in the first half while their opponents failed to get any. The Asian winners made their intentions clear when in the 7th minute they launched a well calculated attack, Jong Hyun Jong's long shot was intercepted by Hyo Sik You who cut through couple of defenders but shot straight into the goal keepers.

The Koreans made two tearaway counter moves but both the times Nathan Eglington failed to beat goal keeper Dong Sik Ko, the second oldest player in the tournament after the Argentina goal keeper.

The Koreans move also created panic in the Australian defense as Jong Ho Lee set up Woon Kim Yeo who fumbled near the goal and shot wide. However, the Koreans forced their third penalty corner in the 31st minute and this time Jong Hyun Jang flicked the ball home (1-0).more MORE UNI HSB PR VC2320