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| June 5, 2005 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1426 |
Australia expect tough final against Korea
KUALA LUMPUR, June 4: Australia will have to be extra vigilant when they play second-half kings South Korea in Sunday’s final of the 14th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Aussie coach Barry Dancer says. Dancer was as surprised as anyone else when the South Koreans sneaked into the final on Friday after favourite Pakistan’s shock 1-0 defeat to hosts Malaysia.
It means more thorough preparation for the defending champions, who drew 3-3 with the South Koreans during group play last week.
“We know we will have to play 70 minutes of all-out hockey,” Dancer said. “They have showed that they never give up and usually come alive towards the end of their matches.
“They have definitely improved as the tournament has gone on and it is going to be a tough match.”
Australia, the Olympic champions, emerged top of the seven-team standings after four victories and two draws for 14 points. But they earned their place in the final with a narrow 1-0 win over India in their final group game.
If Jamie Dwyer had not scored the winner with five minutes left, South Korea and Pakistan would have met in the final.
South Korea completed their programme with a 3-2 win over South Africa while fielding a second-string team. Most South Korean officials had left the stadium thinking neither Australia nor Pakistan would fail against India and Malaysia.
While Australia survived, Pakistan collapsed dramatically.
“We never expected to be in the final,” said South Korean manager Cho Sung-jun, whose team finished on 13 points, equal with Pakistan but with a superior goal difference. “But now we are there, we will do our best.
“We will play our usual game, which means we will be looking to the second half when we will really push.
“It has worked for us throughout the tournament.”
South Korea’s only defeat was a 3-2 reversal to Pakistan, who take on New Zealand on Sunday in a playoff for third.
Malaysia and India contest the fifth and sixth-place playoff while South Africa, without a win, already finished seventh and last.—AFP
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