Australia

The Hockeyroos again showed why they will be serious gold medal contenders at next year's Commonwealth Games with a 5-0 thumping of Korea at Ipswich on Saturday.

Australian co-captain Nikki Hudson, who started from the bench, kicked of proceedings with an early goal for the Hockeyroos romp towards a 5-0 lead in the six-Test series.

The five-goal margin equalled Australia's second-biggest win this year after two prior drubbings of Canada.

Hudson, who also scored the game's final goal produced a piece of individual brilliance to open the scoring in the 15th minute and cap a dominant start by Australia.

Ill-discipline plagued the Koreans throughout the first half with officials dishing out two early cards.

Veteran campaigner Karen Smith picked up the Hockeyroos' second goal in the 25th minute before Madonna Blyth made it 3-0 with a stunning put back of the penalty corner.

Blyth, 19, produced a spectacular diving goal after a set piece shot rebounded off Korean goal keeper Ju Young Lim into midair.

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AdvertisementThe Hockeyroos celebrations went into overdrive shortly after halftime when reliable defender Angie Skirving finished off Australia's fourth penalty corner.

Korea's best chance of a goal came from a penalty corner with five minutes remaining but a great diving save from Hockeyroos goalkeeper De Anne Gilbert maintained a clean sheet for the hosts.

The series now moves to the Gold Coast for Sunday's final Test with Korea desperate to salvage some lost pride.

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