Tuesday 26 / November / 2024
MUSCAT: India who had a bad day at the office yesterday put up a better performance to beat Korea 4-1 in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat.
India’s Harmanpreet Singh who failed to shine during the match against Malaysia on Tuesday was on target this time opening the scoring for his team in the 5th minute of the first quarter through a penalty corner, five minutes later Gurjant Singh made it 2-0 when he received a clear pass, then dribbled past a few Koreans to score through a field goal, to end the first quarter on a lively note.
With start of the second quarter, Korea under pressure to get onto the scoresheet managed to pull one back through Seungil Lee who had scored in the last match against Oman with a field goal in the 20th minute, bring an end to the first of play.
Back on the field for the third quarter the question on every Indian player’s mind was how to increase the lead. India sought a review against an early Korea goal which went in favour of India and Korea was denied a goal.
In the 35th minute Korea took a referral for a second penalty corner after the ball hit the foot of an Indian player but good defence saved the day for India and Korea was once again denied a goal.
Korea fractionally ahead of India in ball possession kept the pressure on India’s defence with frequent attacks, but so far they have stood the test of time not allowing the Koreans any chance to equalise closing out the 45 minutes of play with India still holding a slender 2-1 lead over Korea.
With the resumption of the 4th quarter Harmanpreet Singh was back on target for India increasing the lead to 3-1 in the 47th minute through a penalty corner which has been referred to by the Koreans but lost the referral, India still leads 3-1. Down to 10 men India fought back bravely through keeper Pathak who save a penalty corner which was awarded to Korea in the 54th minute.
With three minutes left for the buzzer Korea try to make a last minute effort by putting pressure on the Indian defence but to no avail, on the contrary India counter-attacked and won a penalty corner the fourth of the game which was taken by Harmanpreet Singh to complete a hattrick and India beating Korea 4-1 at the final hooter.
