Ipoh: Defending champions Australia were made to toil hard in their 3-2 win over a spirited Malaysian side, while Korea got the better of minnows Canada 3-1 in another league match on Day 2 of the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament, here on Monday.
World champions Australia struggled to open their account and after a barren first two quarters finally managed to break the stalemate in the 43rd minute when Jamie Dwyer scored from a penalty stroke.
The veteran Dwyer, who on Sunday became Australia's most-capped hockey player surpassing Jay Stacy, was again at the thick of things and scored a fine field goal 10 minutes later.
The hosts pulled one back in the 57th minute through Firhan Ashari's field strike before Australia restored their lead in the 59th minute via Dylan Wotherspoon's field goal.
In the very next move Malaysia made it 3-2 when Tengku Ahmed deflected in a penalty corner to the joy of the home crowd.
But that was all the home team could manage as Australian defence stood tall to weather out the storm.
Australia will next play Korea on Wednesday, while Malaysia will be up against India.
Meanwhile in the first match of the day, Canada stunned Korea by taking the lead in the 11th minute through a field strike by Richard Hildreth.
But Korea came back strongly and pumped in two goals in quick time in the second quarter through Seongkyu Kim (22nd minute) and Hyunwoo Nam (27th) to take the lead.
Jonghyun Jang stretched Korea's lead in the 54th minute by converting a penalty corner.
The win gave Korea their first win in the tournament after they were held to a 1-1 draw by India on Sunday.
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