Kuala Lumpur, Sept 28: Lee Jung Seon scored a hat-trick as Asian Games gold medallists and defending champions South Korea outplayed Japan 4-2 to finish third in the sixth Asia Cup hockey tournament here today. Japan, who finished fifth in the previous edition in 1999, did not go down without a fight though and were trifle unlucky to have missed easy scoring chances, especially the one when Ryuji Furusato's brave attempt, following a superb solo run, saw the ball miss the goal by a whisker. The Koreans, fielding as many as seven youngsters in their side with a view to concentrate on the Olympics for which they have already qualified, led 2-1 at half time.
The evenly-matched first half saw Japan countering the attack of the South Koreans with speed and solid defence. But it was South Korea who got the first breakthrough when you Hyo Sik scored a fine field goal off a rebound in the 16th minute.
Japan, playing with great determination, equalised through Takahiko Yamabori who beat the rival goalkeeper Ko Dong Sik with a drag flick in the 29th minute off a penalty corner. Three minutes before the breather, the Koreans surged ahead to a 2-1 lead with Lee Jung Seon converting a penalty corner. Lee again scored in the 54th minute converting another penalty corner to gift his team a comfortable 3-1 lead before capping the hat-trick in the 68th minute with a field goal.
Japan seemed to run out of steam but did well to reduce the margin in the 58th minute through captain Kenichi Katayama. Bureau Report