The Kookaburras' return to form continued with a tough 2-1 win over South Korea in Canberra in game two of their four-match series.

Buoyed by Saturday's crushing 6-0 defeat of the Koreans, the world No.1 ranked Australians picked up where they left off with a wonderful Michael McCann goal from the top of the circle in just the 10th minute.

South Korea hit back in the sixteenth minute with a counter move that caught the Australians off-guard and saw Jung Seon Lee hit one past `keeper Stephen Mowlam for the equaliser.

But a Liam De Young free hit outside the circle in the 27th minute drew a penalty corner which Luke Doerner had no trouble converting for his third goal in two games.

Both sides had their chances in the second half but wayward shooting combined with some strong defence meant the scoreline remained unchanged at the final whistle.

"Yesterday was a one-off for the Koreans," Australian captain Bevan George said.

"They were a lot better today. It was good to have a hard fought win and to come out with the points.

"We'll get these tight matches in the World Cup so it was good to taste it today."

Mowlam said South Korea was a side to be respected on the world stage.

"The Korean ranking (eighth) is silly, realistically they're a top six team," he said.

"They're a real chance to win the World Cup next month."

The series now moves to Rockhampton for games three and four on Wednesday and Friday.

The World Cup begins in Moenchengladbach, Germany, on September 6.

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