Hulunbuir (TIP)- Defending champions India remained unbeaten in the Asian Champions Trophy as it registered its fourth consecutive victory with a 3-1 win against Korea here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China on Thursday, September 12.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (9’, 43’) scored a brace in India’s win while Araijeet Singh Hundal (8’) gave an early lead in the team’s win.
Having already booked a place in the semifinals, India looked to continue its winning ways against Korea in the penultimate league-stage match. The defending champions showcased this intent very early in the match with the eighth minute goal by Araijeet Singh Hundal. It was a fierce cross pass by Vivek Sagar Prasad that was picked up by Hundal from the top of the circle to scoop it in. In the following minute, Harmanpreet scored from a penalty corner to extend India’s lead to 2-0. This was Harmanpreet’s 200th international goal.
South Korea, who registered a fantastic 3-2 win against hosts China to climb up to second spot in the points table, was not going to let India have it easy. After shaking off the nerves in the first quarter, Korea bounced back with tactical defence curbing Indian attackers from keeping the ball possession.
In the last seven minutes of the second quarter, Korea punished India with interjections and counter attacks, eventually setting up a PC in the 30th minute of the match. Jihun Yang, who had scored a goal in its win against China on September 11, came up with a fine PC execution to narrow India’s lead to 2-1.
The third quarter saw both India and Korea trade equal number of PCs with each earning four. However, only India could successfully put one in the net with Harmanpreet coming up with a powerful dragflick to fetch his team a strong 3-1 lead. India played this quarter patiently, and constructed a compact attack to stay ahead of a tactful Korea. Meanwhile, Krishan Pathak held sway at the goalpost to keep Korea from scoring. The final quarter saw India do well as they dominated with ball possession, and resorted to half-press that led to potential counter attacks. Though Korea made ambitious attempts to score, Suraj Karkera did well in the goalpost to ensure India don’t concede a goal. India will take on arch nemesis Pakistan in their next encounter.
On September 11, young striker Raj Kumar Pal struck a hat-trick as title-holder India sealed a semifinal spot after thrashing Malaysia 8-1 for its third consecutive win in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy. Apart from Raj Kumar (3rd, 25th and 33rd minute), Araijeet Singh Hundal (6th and 39th minute), Jugraj Singh (7th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (22nd minute), and Uttam Singh (40th minute) sounded the board for India.