Korea v Canada 2-0 (1-0): Jang Jong Hyun sinks Canada with a double

In the first match of the event, Korea met with Canada, and the top-ranked Asians came out blazing, putting high pressure on their Canadian opponents from the start. An early penalty stroke opportunity was the consequence, but Jang Jong Hyun couldn't do more than put a cracking ball onto the crossbar.

As time went on, Canada got into the match better, and was able to create a few good opportunities, but they lacked the lucky last touch to make it count. Korea on the other hand took advantage of their first and only first half penalty corner to take the lead as Jang Jong Hyun sunk a penalty corner.

After the re-start, play slowed down slightly as both teams started to feel the effects of the heat and sun, but it was still an open battle for the first three points of the event. Jang Jong Hyun made good use of a penalty corner opportunity halfway through the second 35 minutes with a flick to the top right for his second goal of the day.

Towards the end of the second half, Korea shifted up a gear and created a number of further opportunities that should have seen them score further goals, but they couldn't convert any of them - an inefficiency that may well come back to haunt them against other teams in this event.

Voices:

Anthony Farry (Coach Canada): “I think we’ve played a good match even though we have young players. We’ve learned a lot from this match. We have a reasonable knowledge of the other teams, but this is the start of a new stage after the Olympics, and we are trying different things and bringing new players in as well. We know it will be tough to make the finals, but  we want to progress every game."

Shin Seok Kyon (Coach Korea): "It was a successful match for us. After London we changed many players, and we are trying young ones who are just gaining experience and did an excellent job putting pressure on Canada’s players."