Defending champions Germany came back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Korea in a Pool A match in New Delhi.

By Prateek Srivastava

Hye Sung Hyun and Nam Yong Lee scored as the Champions Trophy bronze medallist went into the break leading 2-0. Germany improved on their first-half performance a great deal and through Florian Fuchs and Benjamin Wess’ goals they kept their record of not losing to Korea in a World Cup match intact.  

Germany started off well by winning a penalty corner in the second minute but failed to make the most of it. A minute later it was Korea’s turn to get the penalty corner, however only after a video referral. Hye Sung Hyun converted is successfully to put the Koreans ahead. Thereafter the Asian giants were all over the Germans and got the second goal in the 15th minute through a ripper of a reverse flick by Lee Nam Yong who ran all the way down from the back-line. The Germans had five penalty corners while Korea only one but it was a successful one for them.

After the break, the three-time champions showed why they are most dreaded in the world. Youngest player of the tournament Fuchs, 18, dived almost full length and directed a Moritz Furste hit from 25 yards into the goal in the 50th minute. Eight minutes later Wess was on target to bring a great relief into the German camp, which surely was anticipating doom. The Koreans thereafter went all out and on a couple of occasions were close but bad finishing came in their way.

Germany will now play Canada on Wednesday, who lost to New Zealand earlier in the day while the Koreans face Argentina.