SYDNEY- The British women’s hockey team rose to the occasion to hold the hard-tackling Koreans to a 2-2 draw four minutes from full time at the state Hockey Centre on Wednesday.

The Koreans came out hard and fast to score early in the game from a penalty corner in the 14th minute through KIM Seong-Eun.

The lethal combinations of KIM Eun-Jin, KIM Seong-Eun and CHO Bo-Ra threatened the British defence with their penetrating runs. Wun-Jin capitalised on a goal-mouth melee to score their second goal in the 48th minute.

The Korean fans came complete with cheerleaders, drums and co-ordinated movements. Unfazed, the British fought hard in the last 15 minutes with Melanie CLEWLOW scoring from a penalty corner. And there was visible relief when Mandy NICHOLSON flicked in their equaliser shortly after PARK Yong-Sook saved Jane SIXSMITH’s shot. Britain held off a rampage of penalty corners and goal attempt in the dying minutes.

The British women, who were without their coach due to his one-match suspension, go on to play Spain on Friday while Korea meets Australia the same day.