Australia

THE Hockeyroos went 2-0 up in their six-Test series with Korea after wearing down the visitors' imposing start to the match to claim a 2-1 victory at the Distinctive Homes Hockey Arena last night.

The Koreans hit the front early with a fifth-minute goal courtesy of Kim Mi Seon and then kept the Hockeyroos on the back foot with midfield attention from Park Seon Mi, Kim Jung Hee and Kim Jin Kyoung.

But the home side persisted - with Sarah Taylor making the most of her last-minute call-up from Canberra.

In the 27th minute SA goalkeeper DeAnne Gilbert again made the most of her rise to the national team, scrambling to defend a Korean drive and then athletically deflecting the resulting short corner which gave rise to the equaliser.

Taking the ball away, Australia charged through the midfield via Wendy Alcorn who found Thursday night hero Nikki Hudson. With precise stickwork Hudson bypassed one defender and fed a perfectly placed Sian Smithson by the far post to allow the West Australian to bag her first international goal.









The Hockeyroos were far more in control in the second half and Hudson again proved the dangerwoman in attack as she smacked home the winner from the top of the goal arc in the 55th minute.

Angie Skirving's defensive work was first-class but Kim Walker played one of her finest international games in the backlines.

Coach Frank Murray said the Hockeyroos, despite being depleted by injuries, had raised their tempo in the second Test.

"Korea played well from the get-go tonight but tonight's performance (by Australia) was much better than last night," Murray said.

The Adelaide leg of the series concludes at DHHA tomorrow from 2pm before the teams move to Queensland for three more Tests.

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