ROTTERDAM, Nov 4: Olympic silver medallists South Korea suffered their second consecutive defeat at the Champions Trophy here Sunday, losing 2-0 to Asian rivals Pakistan.

A tight contest between two evenly matched sides was effectively settled when Kasif Jawwad scored early and late goals at critical points in the match.

It was not much consolation for the Koreans that they beat Pakistan in the Sydney Olympic semi-finals, having now lost four of their last six meetings.

Jawaad scored his first goal from Pakistan’s first corner of the match in the sixth minute. Sohail Abbas shaped to flick but instead passed to Jawwad to deflect into goal from a central position.

Korea created more chances (7-4) and had more corners (6-2). Song Seung-Tae surprisingly shot straight at the goalkeeper when unmarked in front of goal on the half hour.

Pakistan were denied a goal at their second corner right on half-time. A Korean defender made a fine, high line save after a deflection.

Later, just before Pakistan’s second goal, Kang Keon-Wook shot against the far post. Jawwad’s second goal in the 63rd minute was skilfully set up by Muhammad Nadeem.

Pakistan’s star player Shahbaz Ahmed later told a news conference the Koreans “seemed to lack confidence” after their 4-3 loss against England Saturday.

“I saw they were in a depression, and you cannot play in a depression,” Shahbaz said.

“This is an important win,” Shahbaz said. “It’s again a boost to my team and I hope we will maintain it.”

Goalkeeper Mohammad Qasim said: “I’m part of the team. When I consider my part ... I played my role. I’m happy to serve my country,” he said.

In the other matches of the day, Australia pulled up a 3-2 victory over defending champions the Netherlands while Germany won its second successive match defeating England 2-0.

Matthew Smith earned Australia maximum points after he scored the match winner five minutes from time after both the teams were locked at 2-all.

The Netherlands took lead in the sixth minutes when Teun de Nooijer scored which was equalized in the 20th minutes by Jamie Dwyer. Australia surged 2-1 ahead in the 58th minutes when Troy Elder scored.

But Australia could only maintain lead for 10 minutes before the home team again levelled through Mattijs Brouwer.

Germany’s both the goals were scored by Florian Kunz in the first half. Kunz found the net in the seventh and 24th minutes

Pakistan 2 South Korea 0

Australia 3 Netherlands 2

Germany 2 England 0 .—Agencies