Koreans hold Aussies

Australia, with a better goal difference, are second and South Korea third.

The Australians levelled the score with 10 minutes to go after meeting tough resistance from the Koreans. Kim Young Kui scored for the Koreans in the 24th minute.

South Korea dominated most of the match and impressed with their short passes and swift changing of position. Aussies owed a great deal to their goalkeeper, Lachlan Dreher, who saved three near goals in the dying minutes of the match.

Australian forwards found it hard to break a tough Korean defence and had very few attempts on their opponents goal.

South Korea earned a penalty corner in the sixth minute but Kim Young Bae8217;s hit was well stopped by Australian goalieDreher.

During their counter attacks, Australia forced four short corners in the span of seven minutes but to no avail.

Kim Young Kui opened the scoring when, on a move from the right, he received the ball from Song Seon Tac and pushed it past the Australian goalie in the 24th minute as Koreans led by a solitary goal at the breather.

Olympic bronze medallist Australia thrashed South Korea 6-1 in their last Champions Trophy encounter in Adelaide last year.

The Koreans were not dispirited, even when their captain Park Shim Heum was temporarily sent off in the 46th minute, and continued their attack.

Kim Young Kui came close to score his second goal when his hit from the top of the circle was saved by Dreher.

Australia restored parity in the 60th minute when Troy Elder capitalised on a poor clearance and pushed the ball past Korean goalie Ku Jin Soo.

Three matches will be played on day four tomorrow. Defending champions Germany, without a point after two matches, meet Spain. Pakistan take onAustralia and South Korea play Holland.