Despite the loss, the Kookaburras team, including Bowral first-grader Glenn Turner, claimed the series after winning the first and second games.

Although it was the Kookaburras who did the majority of the attacking in the early stages of game three, it was Korea who struck first with their captain Jong Ho Seo finding the back of the net.

Korea had an opportunity to extend their lead minutes later when Eddie Ockenden received a green card, leaving the Kookaburras one man down for two minutes midway through the first half.

But it was the Kookaburras who continued to generate scoring attempts but to no avail and Korea led 1-0 at halftime.

Australia received a boost in the opening stages of the second half when youngster Glenn Simpson scored his first goal of the series and levelled the scores.

This celebration was only short-lived, with Korea answering right away with a penalty corner goal to regain the lead at the 38 minute mark.

And that’s how it finished.

Australian coach Ric Charlesworth said the result confirmed his fears.

“I think it confirms as I have been saying all along that we aren’t solid enough yet,” Charlesworth said.

“We are a work in progress and it underlined that there is still more work to do.

“We have to finish better and we had five or six penalty corners and some missed opportunities.”