Playing fast and attacking game Asian Games gold medallist South Korea piped England 1-0 by a late goal for their second straight win in the Hockey World Cup at Monchengladbach and served notice that they are also in the hunt for the title.
With six points in two outings, Korea are leading the pool 'b'. They had stunned the hot favourite Hoolland in the opener and will now take on South Africa followed by India in their third and fourth league matchs on September 10 and 11 respectively.
In an uneven encounter which generated excitement in patches, Koreans held their nerves at crucial moments as their rivals muffed chances.
The first half did not produce any goal or worthwhile moves though Koreans forced a penalty corner in the 17th minute which went abegging.
The all important goal was scored by Sung Hoon Yoon who deflected in a free hit from outside the circle in the 59th minute. Earlier, in the second half it seemed that Korea had managed to deflect in a free hit but the umpire Suresh Putra referred the goal to the third umpire who declared that the deflection came off an English stick and not Korea's, thus disallowing the goal.
It was the second instance of the third umpire being used and for the first time in the World Cup, a goal was disallowed.
{{/usCountry}}It was the second instance of the third umpire being used and for the first time in the World Cup, a goal was disallowed.
{{/usCountry}}Both the teams were coming into the match having won their opening encounters and many who thought that it would be a pacy affair were disappointed. Korea and England were both cautious and used the flanks to build the moves while the midfield always became a defensive buffer.
The first half saw chances for both the teams but not much headway was made as the defences were sharp. England earned the only penalty corner of the first half.
In the second half, Korea made incisive moves trying to convert free hits from outside the circle.
In the 59th minute, Korea broke the deadlock when Sung Hoon Yoon deflected in a free hit from outside the circle.
England threw in everything to attack the Koreans and in the last minute earned two penalty corners but the Korean defence stood firm. England who have three points from two outings will now face World champions Germany.