Flanagan double wins points, but Korea prove no push-over in tight encounter

A closely-fought and thrilling encounter between the fourth-ranked team and the eighth-ranked team resulted in a 3-2 win for the Hockeyroos over a Korea side who will be disappointed not to have at least shared the points.

The game was just seven minutes old when Korea's Park Mihyun fired the ball across the circle to an unmarked Cheon Eunbi (7') for a 1-0 lead. This followed a period of Korean pressure as the team in red dominated the opening minutes of the game, with only the 'keeper Rachael Lynch keeping them at bay.

The Hockeyroos came back into the game through Emily Hurtz (12'), but the credit for the goal should be shared with Georgie Parker, whose sublime stick skills provided the cross for Hurtz to deflect past Jang Soo Ji in the Korea goal. 

Despite this equaliser, the first half was largely one-way traffic with Korea winning three consecutive penalty corners and keeping the pressure on the Hockeyroos. Coach Adam Commens and his team would have been relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

The second half was a very different affair. Australia came out fighting and soon it was Jang Soo Ji's goal which was under pressure. The Korea defence showed its renowned structure and prevented the Australian's breaking through until in the 51st minute Anna Flanagan demonstrated why she has a reputation as a top-class drag-flicker. 

Korea, led by the mercurial Park, continued to attack the Hockeyroos, but the defensive line of Flanagan, Kate Jenner and Edwina Bone held firm and 

overturned possession before Korea could enter the circle. Australia extended their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke following some great attacking play by Casey Eastham on the left-hand side of the pitch and Flangan (57') stepped up to convert. 

With just under seven minutes left on the clock Korea saw their persistence pay off when Cho Eunji (63') dived on a loose ball after Lynch saved the initial shot. Her subsequent effort flew high into the roof of the net and brought the score to 3-2.

Parker continued to mesmerise with her stick skills in the centre of the pitch and came close to adding her name to the score sheet as she bustled into the circle and realised a venomous shot just wide of the post. Korea continued to push for the equaliser, but the Hockeyroos held on to secure all three points.

Korea's coach Han Jin Soo said he was "happy with his team's performance" in their first match of the tournament. He said they had been undone by some small mistakes but the team would learn from these and progress. His counterpart, Commens praised his midfield for their turnover rate in the second half. "The team has had to quickly adapt to the loss of their captain to injury (Madonna Blythe) but they did their job. The Koreans had a compact defence and we struggled to find a way through in the first half. The second half we stepped up."

Official Match Report (PDF)