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Defending champions Australia and New Zealand continued their unbeaten run in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup by thrashing Korea 5-2 and lowly Canada 5-0 respectively in their league matches on the third day of the hockey tournament in Ipoh.
After these wins, Australia and New Zealand have now garnered maximum nine points each from three outings, while Korea have four points and Canada are yet to open their account.
In the match between world champions Australia and Korea, veteran striker Jamie Dwyer (18th minute, 45th, 48th) scored a hat-trick while skipper Mark Knowles (22nd) converted a penalty corner and Eddie Ockenden scored from a field effort to hand Australia their third straight win in the six-nation tournament.
Korea's both goals came from penalty corners through Seongkyu Kim (17th) and Jobghyun Jang (54th).
In the first match of the day, Hugo Inglis (41st minute, 45th) scored twice to hand New Zealand their third consecutive win in the tournament.
The Blacksticks, however, found it difficult to break the Canada defence initially as their first goal came in the 26th minute through a field strike from Blair Hilton before Inglis scored from a penalty corner.
Skipper Simon Child made it 3-0 in the 44th minute before Inglis scored his second goal of the day. Shay Neal rounded off the scoreline for the Blacksticks a minute from the final hooter with a field goal.
New Zealand play Australia on Thursday while Canada will be up against Korea.
Image: Jamie Dwyer (left) celebrates after scoring
Photograph: Dominic Ebenbichler/Reuters