MONCHENGLADBACH, Sept 16: Poor umpiring again took centre stage in the hockey World Cup on Friday as South Korea was robbed of a win against Australia due to sub-standard supervision by the referees.

The Koreans were fuming at the ‘awful’ penalty corners taken by the Aussies which were clearly incorrect and should have been disallowed by the umpires.

“If German umpire Christian Blasch had been looking carefully at penalty corners taken by the Aussies, especially at ones they scored first two goals off, Korea would have entered their first World Cup final here,” said a senior German official at the ground.

“Both Aussie penalty corners were stopped inside circle and should have been disallowed, Korea would have held off Australia and cruised towards their first World Cup final,” he said.

Former Aussie captain Renin Gerrard watching World Cup semi-final said, “Australia is terribly lucky to get into final.”

Korean coach Cho Sung Jun asserted one of the penalty corners was stopped inside circle. Korea again took lead in 41st minute and Aussies equalised in 51st minute off another penalty corner which Travis Brooks deflected in.

It was also stopped inside striking circle. Aussies struck in 60th and 70th minutes to record win and enter their second consecutive World Cup final.—Agencies