South Korea eves take on Australia in first hockey Test

South Korea’s women’s hockey team take on Australia in the first of the four-match Test series at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Perth on Wednesday.

South Korea would be looking to take positives from their runners-up finish in the first leg of the Four Nations hockey tournament held at the ITM Centre in Whangarei, which also featured hosts New Zealand, world champions Argentina and the United States.

The Asian giants stormed into the final after upstaging world champions Argentina 4-3 in the league phase.

The Asian powerhouse stunned hosts New Zealand 4-3 in the tournament opener before surprisingly going down 1-2 to the United States.

South Korea, however, cut a disappointing day in office in the final against New Zealand. The Black Sticks women never allowed the Koreans to play their natural fast-paced game and controlled possession for most part to emerge clinical 3-0 winners.

However, in the second leg of the Four Nations tournament, South Korea did start well, spanking the United States 4-1 before their challenge fizzled out.

The Redshirts lost to Argentina 2-4 before being humiliated by New Zealand in a 1-5 rout. The Asian giants lost to the USA 1-0 in the bronze medal play-off tie to settle for the last spot among four nations.

The South Korea-Australia women’s hockey Test series comes ahead of a similar four- match hockey Test series between the Australian and South Korean men slated to be held early next month.

The Australia-South Korea men’s four match hockey Test series would also be played at the Perth Hockey Stadium from May 4-9.

South Korea would be looking for inspiration from experienced Mi Hyun Park.

The team’s most capped player has lived to her billing – scoring four goals in the two-leg Four Nations hockey tournaments, scoring in key games against New Zealand and Argentina.

South Korea would also expect Da Rae Kim and Young Ran Kim to find their goal-scoring sticks – both came up with consistent performances in the Four Nations tourney in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the Adam Commens-coached Australian women’s hockey team, nicknamed ‘Hockeyroos’, have included four new faces for the Test series against Korea.

Newbies – Edwina Bone, Jane Claxton, Brooke Peris and Mariah Williams – have earned a national call-up.

The Australian eves wear a formidable look with the return of captain Madonna Blyth.

The two-time Olympian had missed the national team’s tour to South Africa earlier this year after taking a two-week break following the 2012 Australian Hockey League.

Among the experienced lot, Emily Hurtz is unavailable for this Test series, while Casey Eastham and Jordyn Holzberger would be sitting out on account of injuries.

The second Test would be played on April 25th.

The third hockey Test would be played on April 27th, while the fourth and final hockey Test would be played the next day.