PERTH, April 27: Reigning Olympic champions Australia defeated South Korea 4-3 on Sunday to claim the first of two four-nation field hockey tournaments scheduled ahead of the Beijing Games.

The Australians needed a 56th minute field goal from veteran Jamie Dwyer to clinch victory with the Koreans fighting to the end and getting to within one goal of the hosts with eight minutes left in the final.

China took third place winning the playoff 2-1 over India after extra time.—AFP