World champions Germany scored twice in a five-minute spell in the second-half to beat Asian Games gold medallists South Korea 2-0 in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament in Ipoh on Monday.
The victory was the second for the Germans, who had beaten Pakistan 4-3 in their opening match on Sunday, while the Koreans suffered their first defeat, having beaten hosts Malaysia 2-0 in their opener.
In the other match of the day, Malaysia suffered their second reverse, losing 2-4 to New Zealand.
After being contained in the first-half, the Germans scored in the 42nd and 47th minutes from penalty-corners through Tibor Weibenborn and Max Landshut respectively to make sure of full points.
New Zealand were two goals to the good in the first 12 minutes and though the home side pulled back with a goal, the Kiwis' superiority was never in doubt.
Hayden Shaw put the Kiwis ahead in the eighth minute from a penalty-corner before Mitesh Patel doubled the lead four minutes later from field play.
Amin Rahim pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 29th minute but Philip Burrows's penalty-corner a minute from half-time gave the Kiwis a 3-1 advantage.
In the second session, Malaysia, who had lost to South Korea 0-2 in their first match, fought hard and reduced the margin through Nasir Riduan in the 50th minute but Umesh Parag put the issue safe for the Kiwis with a neat finish.
Tomorrow is a rest day.
