KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18: A determined Australia shut down Pakistan's attack to triumph over the previously undefeated South Asian side 4-3 and take the Azlan Shah Cup here on Sunday.

Not only did the Australians neutralize Pakistan's ace penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas, but they kept pace with the speedy opponents throughout the 70 minutes of play.

The win marks Australia's third title in the history of the tournament after their victory in 1983's inaugural tournament and again in 1998. "It was a fantastic performance from the players as they showed plenty of grit and determination," said Australian coach Barry Dancer.

"We never allowed them (Pakistan) to dictate the game and this was the key to our win." Travis Brooks put Australia ahead in the 21st minute with a superb reverse stick hit after ghosting past the Pakistani defenders on the left flank.

Australia went ahead 2-0 when Brooks - who was later named as the man of the match - scored again in the 29th minute. Pakistan reduced the deficit with a goal from Kashif Jawwad in the 30th minute.

Brooks failed to get the better of Salman Akbar from two metres out and regain Australia's two-goal advantage, and Sohail put Pakistan on level terms by converting a penalty corner in the 44th minute.

But Australia went ahead again when Michael Boyce scored a minute later. Pakistan were awarded a penalty corner in the 48th minute but Sohail's attempt was saved on the line by Mathew Wells.

Troy Elder converted a penalty corner in the 57th minute to give Australia a 4-2 lead, and though Pakistan reduced the deficit when Abbas made good on a penalty corner in the 65th minute, they failed to get the elusive fourth goal and had to settle for second spot.

Earlier, South Korea denied reigning world champions Germany a podium finish when they finished third place on penalty strokes after drawing 3-3 in extra time.

Germany finished tournament play in fourth place. Korean keeper Ko Dong Sik was the hero of the match - saving attempts by Justus Schorovosky, Bjoern Emmerling and Tibor Weissenborn.

The Koreans came from being behind 3-1 to force the match into extra time and with the win avenged their defeat to Germany in the preliminary round.

A superb through ball by Tibor Weissenborn to put Germany 1-0 up in the 21st minute, and two minutes later Germany extended their lead, this time through an individual effort by Matthis Witthaus.

Korea could have pulled one back before halftime but keeper Arnold Clemens was quick off his line to deny Yoon Young Sik. However, Lee Jung Seon struck from their first penalty corner in the 38th minute, and Korea could have drawn level had Lee not missed a sitter after Yoon broke down the left flank and set him up with an open goal.

Germany took full advantage of the error and Christoph Bechmann scored in the 47th minute after Bjoern Michael laid off a pass to him from the right.

But Korea stayed in the fight thanks the brilliance of Lee, who got past German defenders Florian Kunz and Phillip Crone in the 51st minute. They put themselves on level terms when Seo Jong Ho was the first to the ball after a penalty corner attempt by Lee in the 57th minute.

In the day's first matchup Malaysia went down 2-1 to Spain despite taking the lead through Chua Boon Huat in the 18th minute. Santiago Freixa Escude put Spain on level terms in the 49th minute and Alberto Esteban Velaquez gave the Spaniards the lead in the 58th minute to put Spain in fifth place, with Malaysia finishing sixth.

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