Korea humble Canada 4-0 to win men’s Champions Challenge 1 tourney

Korea humbled Canada 4-0 to win the FIH Men’s Champions Challenge 1 tournament in Kuantan, Malaysia. The world number seven side struck twice in each half to script a facile win over the 16^th ranked Canadians.

Jang Jong Hyun converted a penalty corner to give Korea an early advantage before Kim Young Jin extended the lead. Jang Jong Hyun struck again in the second half before Kim Seong Kyu rounded off the tally in the dying moments of the game.

The final appearance for the Canadians is indeed praiseworthy given the fact they earlier held higher ranked Korea to a 3-3 draw in the league phase and later accounted for Malaysia in the semifinals.

Hosts Malaysia rallied splendidly after losing the opening two games against France and Korea. The 12^th ranked side stunned strong contenders and sixth ranked New Zealand in the quarterfinal stage.

Malaysia had lost to Canada 4-5 in a shootout in the semifinals, while Korea put it across Ireland 2-1. Malaysia took the third spot pipping Ireland 4-2. New Zealand swamped France 6-3 to finish 5^th while Japan beat Poland 3-2 to bag the seventh spot to consign the latter to a bottom-place finish.